Blackouts, Evacuations, Camouflage: India’s War-Readiness Drill Set for Tomorrow

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th May: In a major move that underscores India’s rising security alertness, the Centre has directed all states and Union Territories to conduct a full-scale civil defence drill on Tuesday. While the directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs does not explicitly mention ongoing tensions with Pakistan, the timing—just days after the Pahalgam terror attack—has raised speculation about India’s preparations for a potential conflict.

The last time such a nationwide exercise was held was in the run-up to the 1971 Indo-Pak war. This time, drills will span across 244 Civil Defence districts, reaching even the village level.

Who Will Participate?

According to the official notification, the drill will involve active participation from District Controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, Home Guard volunteers (active and reservists), National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), as well as college and school students.

Civilians will also be trained in handling “hostile attacks” with the goal of boosting local preparedness.

Objectives Of The Drill

The Ministry has outlined nine specific objectives for the drill:

• Test the effectiveness of air raid warning systems.
• Operate hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force.
• Assess the functionality of control rooms and shadow command centres.
• Train civilians and students on civil defence techniques for wartime scenarios.
• Conduct crash blackouts, simulating planned power cuts to avoid detection during aerial attacks.
• Practice camouflaging vital installations such as refineries, airfields, and railway yards.
• Test rescue operations, fire safety drills, and evacuation protocols.
• Educate civilians on first-aid, firefighting, and shelter-building methods.

Authorities may ask residents to participate in blackout drills by switching off lights for a fixed period.

Pahalgam Attack: The Catalyst?

The drill comes just days after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 25 tourists and a local pony handler dead. Investigations have reportedly pointed to Pakistani involvement, prompting strong words from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who vowed “unimaginable” punishment for the perpetrators.

The Centre has since suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and held high-level security meetings, fueling speculation that India is preparing for a possible military response. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and the three service chiefs have all briefed the Prime Minister in recent days.

Tuesday’s civil defence drill appears to be part of a broader strategic preparedness plan, with security analysts suggesting the government is signaling readiness on all fronts.