Mock drill ‘Operation Shield’ across J&K today
Srinagar, May 30: In a move aimed at bolstering public safety and disaster readiness, the Directorates of SDRF and Civil Defence Kashmir and Jammu would conduct a comprehensive civil defence mock drill across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday at 5 pm.
The development comes weeks after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducted Operation Abhyas ñ a nationwide mock drill - on May 7, hours before India launched ëOperation Sindoorí.
However, in J&K it was cancelled.
On May 7, India conducted a nationwide civil defence mock drill under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, designated as ëOperation Abhyas,í aimed at bolstering the nationís preparedness for war-like emergencies amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to Civil Defence Directorate officials, sirens will be activated at multiple locations across J&K, simulating emergency alerts.
The public has been urged not to panic and to treat the sirens as part of a routine safety drill designed to test operational readiness.
Officials said that the exercise would include the activation of centrally-controlled air raid sirens, blackout protocols in civilian areas, and mock evacuation of families from military stations in the event of a drone strike.
The drills would also involve the deployment of medical teams, transportation of blood units, and other emergency response measures.
The drill would involve a range of participants, including civil defence wardens, volunteers from local administration, and youth groups like NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
These participants will help implement key civil defence measures against potential threats such as enemy aircraft, drones, and missile attacks.
Ahead of statewide drill, mock exercises were on Wednesday carried out in Anantnag, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar, and Uri (in Baramulla district) as well as Awantipora (in Pulwama district) Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Doda, Akhnoor, Nowshera, Sunderbani.
These drills involved coordination between district controllers, civil defence wardens, local authorities, Home Guards, NCC and NSS units, NYKS teams, and student volunteers from schools and colleges.
The Civil Defence Directorate officials have emphasized the importance of public cooperation in ensuring the success of this preparedness initiative.
ìWe kindly request all members of the public to remain calm and not be alarmed upon hearing the sirens,î the officials said ìYour cooperation is vital to the success of this safety initiative.î
Officials highlighted that mock drills serve a dual purpose ó testing the efficiency of response systems and building long-term resilience within communities.
These exercises help identify potential weaknesses in current disaster response frameworks and create opportunities for improvement.
The Civil Defence Directorate reiterated its commitment to strengthening public safety infrastructure and fostering a culture of readiness and cooperation. It expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of citizens across the region.
