On May 7, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will conduct Civil Defence mock drills across 244 categorised districts in India, in response to rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
The Union Home Minister’s directive, issued on May 5, aims to evaluate and improve preparedness for hostile attacks, covering:
- Activation of air raid warning sirens
- Blackout measures and camouflage for critical infrastructure
- Evacuation drills and public training
- Communication links with the Indian Air Force
- Testing the response of Civil Defence Services, including rescue and firefighting
The decision follows high-level meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh briefing him on India’s preparedness post the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley.
The drills reflect India’s focus on enhancing civil defence readiness amid a volatile geopolitical climate.
