 "Pahalgam: Centre tells states to conduct civil defence mock drills, activate air raid warning signals")
Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, Union Home Ministry has asked states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday (May 7) for effective civil defence.
Sources in the government said the drills will be organised in states and union territories bordering Pakistan, which are Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Sources said that following measures are supposed to be undertaken during drills:
Operationalisation of air raid warning sirens
Training of civilians, students, etc, on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack
Provision of crash blackout measures
Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants and installations
Updating evacuation plans and rehearsing such plans
Sources further said that mock drills are an effort to acquaint the current generation with wartime standard operating procedures (SOPs) and measures.
They said that while there is no need to panic, the seriousness of the situation demands that people are educated on such SOPs and measures.
Earlier on Sunday, a similar blackout drill was observed in Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab.
The development comes in the midst of rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack in which terrorists killed 26 people in J&K’s Pahalgam. India has vowed to respond.
In rare remarks in English, Modi last month told the world that a military action was in offing.
“From the soil of Bihar, I say this to the whole world: India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist, their handlers, and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism,” said Modi.
Among the actions that India has taken so far include the expulsion of almost all Pakistanis in India and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan has responded to India’s vow with aggressive military posturing and rhetoric, such as frequent tests of missiles and warning India of consequences for actions such as the suspension of the Indus treaty. Pakistan has dubbed the suspension as an “act of war”.
 "Trump cuts science funds, France tells scientists 'come, join us'")
 "'Military solution is no solution': UN chief urges 'maximum restraint' as India-Pak tensions reach boiling point")
 "Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah after Houthi airport strike")
 "Where does all the gold come from? Scientists discover the real source")
 "Trump cuts science funds, France tells scientists 'come, join us'")
 "'Military solution is no solution': UN chief urges 'maximum restraint' as India-Pak tensions reach boiling point")
 "Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah after Houthi airport strike")
 "Where does all the gold come from? Scientists discover the real source")