Mock Drills Under ‘Operation Shield’ Begin Today in Border States

New Delhi – In a strategic effort to enhance national security readiness, mock civil defence drills under ‘Operation Shield’ will be conducted today across several border states and Union Territories adjoining Pakistan.

The drills will commence at 5:00 p.m. and are being held in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The focus is on areas situated close to the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC), where the risk of cross-border threats is higher.

Initially scheduled for May 29, the exercise was postponed due to administrative reasons. A government press release on May 29 confirmed the revised date and underlined the importance of these drills in plugging gaps identified during a nationwide exercise conducted on May 7.

‘Operation Shield’ simulates emergency situations such as air raid sirens, blackouts, and evacuation protocols, testing the preparedness of civil authorities, emergency responders, and local communities. The aim is to mimic real-time crisis scenarios triggered by external threats or emergencies, and evaluate how swiftly and efficiently agencies and the public can respond.

In Punjab, full blackouts will be enforced in designated vulnerable areas, with exceptions for essential services such as hospitals and emergency units. Warning sirens will alert residents as part of the simulation, and emergency protocols will be implemented to assess public and institutional readiness.

Officials stated that the earlier nationwide drill exposed critical shortcomings in coordination and response strategies. These follow-up drills aim to specifically address those concerns in high-risk border districts.

Government sources emphasized that such exercises are crucial given the current regional security environment, and reflect the Centre’s commitment to bolstering civil defence frameworks in sensitive zones.

Apart from improving inter-agency coordination, the drills are also expected to raise public awareness and enhance community-level resilience in dealing with both man-made threats and natural disasters.

With increasing security challenges along the border, today’s exercises serve as a proactive step to ensure preparedness, vigilance, and cohesive emergency response capabilities across affected states and Union Territories.