Pahalgam: Centre tells states to conduct civil defence mock drills, activate air raid warning alerts

Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, Union Dwelling Ministry has requested states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday (Might 7) for efficient civil defence.

Sources within the authorities mentioned the drills will probably be organised in states and union territories bordering Pakistan, that are Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Sources mentioned that following measures are alleged to be undertaken throughout drills:

• Operationalisation of air raid warning sirens

• Coaching of civilians, college students, and so on, on civil defence features to guard themselves within the occasion of a hostile assault

• Provision of crash blackout measures

• Provision for early camouflaging of significant crops and installations

• Updating evacuation plans and rehearsing such plans

Sources additional mentioned that mock drills are an effort to acquaint the present era with wartime commonplace working procedures (SOPs) and measures.

They mentioned that whereas there isn’t a must panic, the seriousness of the scenario calls for that individuals are educated on such SOPs and measures.

Earlier on Sunday, an analogous
blackout drill was noticed in Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab.

The event comes within the midst of rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam assault. India has blamed Pakistan for the assault wherein terrorists killed 26 individuals in J&Okay’s Pahalgam. India has vowed to reply.

In
uncommon remarks in English, Modi final month informed the world {that a} navy motion was in offing.

“From the soil of Bihar, I say this to the entire world: India will establish, observe, and punish each terrorist, their handlers, and their backers. We’ll pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit won’t ever be damaged by terrorism,” mentioned Modi.

Among the many actions that India has taken thus far embrace the expulsion of virtually all Pakistanis in India and the
suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistan has responded to India’s vow with aggressive navy posturing and rhetoric, corresponding to frequent checks of missiles and warning India of penalties for actions such because the suspension of the Indus treaty. Pakistan has dubbed the suspension as an “act of battle”.