In a recent bid to fortify preparedness and emergency response systems in Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, a simulated civil defence training was held at Amar Singh Niwas. This was under the auspices of a broader national initiative known as Operation Shield. According to Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, the District Magistrate overseeing the operation, this exercise was executed in line with the guidance provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was aimed at testing the swift and effective handling of a potential fire emergency situation within the building.
During the drill, focus was placed on several core areas, with rescue operations and firefighting readiness topping the list. The exercise’s goal was to assess the competence and readiness of the personnel as well as the effectiveness and accuracy of the infrastructure and equipment used for such operations. The overall readiness of the system was gauged meticulously during the mock civil defence drill.
As part of the drill, a blackout that lasted 10 minutes was also conducted. This was an integral aspect of the operation and was included in order to simulate real-life conditions that could occur in a case of actual emergency. The exercise was successfully completed and evaluated. It will contribute to strengthening the first-response and civil defence mechanisms of the sensitive border regions in the future.
Another mock drill was held in Jammu as part of the same program, simulating real emergency scenarios. The aim was to evaluate the city’s emergency response mechanisms and to raise public awareness on how to properly respond during actual emergencies. This drill involved a coordinated blackout and evacuation, which took place for 15 minutes between 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM.
While the drills created a feeling of a real emergency, the authorities emphasized that it was merely a preparedness activity. The DC urged residents to remain calm and adhere to the instructions provided by official sources. The residents were also informed that they should turn off all lights during the drill to simulate a real-life blackout condition.
In order to ensure public safety and minimize panic, the guidelines for the drill were shared with the public in advance. The intention was to establish coordination between various efforts and prepare the community for potential crises situations. Emphasis was placed on maintaining calm and understanding that these exercises were carried out purely as a preparedness measure.
Simultaneously, security agencies have started the second phase of the Operation Shield civil defence mock drills. These drills are being conducted in states that share borders with Pakistan. This came on the heels of the first phase of the drill that took place on the 7th of May. These exercises are part of a broader effort to enhance defensive readiness and civil defence proficiency across these regions.
In another development, the Indian Army is carrying out Capacity Development Demonstrations at several important locations across India. Among these locations are the high-stakes Pokhran Field Firing Ranges, Babina Field Firing Ranges, and Joshimath. Additional air defence exercises are expected to take place in Agra and Gopalpur. The trials are aimed at assessing the performance of advanced defence systems under simulated operational conditions and integrated electronic warfare (EW) environments.
Concurrently, efforts are being made to notify global financial regulators about moves facilitating peace between India and Pakistan. The cessation of hostilities, which occurred on the 10th of May, has been communicated to the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog body. Reports indicate that India plans to send a comprehensive dossier to the FATF, detailing evidence and raising concerns about the involvement of certain entities and individuals in terrorist financing and money laundering activities.
While discussing Operation Sindoor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan mentioned India’s increased reliance on indigenous platforms and independence from foreign vendors. He also spoke about the integration of radars from multiple sources into a single network spread across the whole of India. This conversation was part of an Academia engagement that took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
To enhance preparedness and coordination, a large-scale civil defence operation termed ‘Operation Shield’ has been initiated across various states and Union Territories bordering Pakistan. These include Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The operations, which commenced at 5:00 pm on Saturday, include simulated emergency situations in high-risk border regions.
In Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar confirmed that a special blackout and evacuation exercise was held from 8:15 pm to 8:30 pm. Several key players, including civil administration, police, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, civil defence, and rescue teams, were involved in this mock drill. He emphasised that these exercises were not indicative of any real threat but were held as a measure to build alertness and readiness amongst the local populace.
The entire ‘Operation Shield’ was aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness, particularly in sensitive districts near the Line of Control and International Border, where the risk of cross-border conflict is perennial. By conducting these drills, the authorities aim to promote coordination between different emergency services and the general public, thereby improving readiness in case of future threats or disasters.