Home Ministry directs several states to conduct mock drills on May 7

The measures to be taken during the drill include operationalisation of air raid warning sirens and training of civilians on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a 'hostile attack'.

New Delhi: Amid tension rising between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror strike, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to conduct mock drills across the country on Wednesday to assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems and camouflaging of vital installations among others.

The drill, which is planned up to the village level in 244 categorised Civil Defence Districts, is aimed at ensuring effective civil defence in case of a military action against the country. It will assess and enhance the readiness of Civil Defence mechanisms across states and union territories.

In a letter to states and union territories on Monday, the MHA has identified nine goals for the mock drill, which include assessing the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, operationalisation of hotline links with the Air Force and test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms.

Training of civilians, including students, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack, provisions of crash blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and verifying activation and response of Civil Defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations and depot management are part of the drill.

It will also evaluate the preparedness of evacuation plans. The mock drill will see the active participation of District Collector, various district authorities, Civil Defence Wardens and volunteers, NCC, NSS, NYKS and students.

On May 2, the MHA had written to the states, "In the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats have emerged, hence it is prudent that optimum Civil Defence preparedness in the states and union territories be maintained at all times."

Tension has arisen in the relation between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack that claimed 26 lives. India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, revoked visas of Pakistanis and banned import from Pakistan among other things.

In response, Pakistan has suspended the Shimla Agreement and revoked visas of Indians among other things. Pakistan has been committing ceasefire violations on the Line of Control for the past few days.