The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed several states to conduct civil defense drills on May 7, aimed at preparing civilians for potential hostile attacks, reports said.
As part of the exercise, air raid sirens will be sounded, and civilians—including school students—will receive training on how to respond in the event of an aerial or cross-border strike. The drills will also include simulated blackouts and rapid camouflage of critical infrastructure and installations to test emergency response protocols.
States have been asked to review and rehearse their evacuation plans, update coordination procedures, and assess their readiness to respond to high-intensity threats.
The advisory comes against the backdrop of heightened military tension along the Line of Control (LoC), where Pakistani forces have been engaging in nightly ceasefire violations for the past 11 consecutive days. The Indian Army has responded in kind, with both sides exchanging fire at multiple forward posts.
The urgency of the directive follows the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir라이브 바카라 Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 people, including a Nepali national. It marked the deadliest attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
In anticipation of possible retaliation from New Delhi, Pakistan has stepped up military readiness, bolstered its border defences, and conducted missile tests. Some Pakistani officials have publicly warned of a strong military response in case of what they termed an “Indian misadventure.”
