Why are mock drills being held again in border states? Inside Operation Shield

India is conducting civil defence drills under ‘Operation Shield’ across several border states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh.

These mock drills aim to test the country’s readiness for emergency situations such as air raids, blackouts, and evacuations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the new round of exercises following the identification of gaps in civil preparedness during the earlier drills held on 7 May. Those exercises were conducted soon after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, which left 26 civilians dead, and India’s subsequent military response—‘Operation Sindoor’—targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The drills had initially been scheduled for 29 May but were postponed due to administrative issues. The renewed exercises began on 31 May, with sirens, blackout simulations, and coordinated responses from fire services, local authorities, and the armed forces.

In Punjab, all districts participated starting 6 pm, while Haryana and Rajasthan began at 5 pm. Gujarat officials stated that NCC, NSS, and Bharat Scout and Guide volunteers would simulate hotline setups between the Air Force and Civil Security Control Rooms.

According to officials, the exercises are crucial in light of heightened conflict between India and Pakistan. During the May 7–10 clashes, India reportedly carried out additional strikes, while Pakistan responded with shelling and attempted drone attacks.

The Ministry has invoked emergency powers and funding support from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to plug gaps found during earlier drills, with a focus on strengthening civil defence in vulnerable areas.