Centre Orders Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drills After Pahalgam Attack:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Indian authorities have ordered all 244 civil defense designated districts to carry out mock drills following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The drills are expected to initiate on Wednesday and are designed to test the country’s emergency preparedness.

The Home Minister instructed officials to discuss the strategy at a meeting held with the Union Home Secretary on Tuesday. Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories joined the proceedings remotely to Washington discuss the plans.

Drill Designed to Test Nationwide Preparedness

This will be a multi-day drill, explained Director General of Civil Defence Vivek Srivastava. Such exercises occur routinely however this time there is a coordinated effort nationwide.

The directive comes on the heels of a Pakistan-supported terrorist attack that left 26 people dead, including one Nepali national, and two missile tests under “Exercise INDUS” by Pakistan.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a an open order to the armed forces of India for retaliatory action of their choosing, granting them complete operational discretion.

What is a Civil Defence Mock Drill?

Civil defence mock drills are aimed at rehearsing wartime or emergency situations so that systems at government levels and civilians are geared up. These exercises instruct on life and property protection during aerial bombardments, missile strikes and natural calamities.

Key Objectives of the Drill:

Determine how effective air raid siren warning devices are

Switch on hotline and radio communications with the Indian Air Force

Test operations of main and secondary control room

Prepare civilians, students and volunteers to react appropriately during emergencies.

Implement tactical blackout measures

Enact the obscuring of vital installations

Assess fire fighting, rescue and evacuation exercises

Ensure all civil defence services are prepared

Who Will Participate in the Drill

The exercise will incorporate:

Wardens and civil defence officials at the District level

Servicing Local Government

Active and retired Home Guards

Members of the Public, NCC, NSS, NYKS

School and college Students

Officials revealed that an agreed upon list of sensitive infrastructure will be made available to all instructors. This includes defense installations, paramilitary bases, hospitals and other strategic facilities which need to be secured during the drill.