Operation SHIELD: Civil Defence Mock Drills, Blackouts Conducted Across Border States
New Delhi/Chandigarh, May 31, 2025:
In a coordinated nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening India’s civil defence preparedness, mock drills and blackouts were carried out on Saturday (May 31) across several border states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. These exercises were part of Operation SHIELD, a civil defence and emergency response initiative designed to simulate wartime scenarios and test response mechanisms in border districts.
The drills included simulated air raid alerts, mass evacuation exercises, communication blackout protocols, and electricity shutdowns for short durations in select sensitive areas. Citizens in several villages and towns near the India-Pakistan international border experienced controlled power outages, sirens, and coordinated emergency response activities involving police, NDRF, state disaster response forces, home guards, and local administration.
In Punjab, the mock exercises were carried out in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran,and other distircts where residents were advised in advance about temporary blackouts and movement restrictions. Emergency teams rehearsed response to potential cross-border threats including aerial attacks, drone incursions, and chemical emergencies.
Similar drills were observed in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in border areas of Samba, Kathua, and RS Pura, where civil defence volunteers, health teams, and local law enforcement participated in coordinated rehearsals.
Officials described the operation as part of pre-emptive strategic planning to enhance public awareness, boost inter-agency coordination, and identify potential gaps in crisis management. “Operation SHIELD is not a response to any specific threat but a routine part of India’s readiness protocol in border regions,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Public announcements were made ahead of the exercises to avoid panic. In many areas, schoolchildren, panchayat leaders, and civil volunteers were also engaged in mock sheltering and first aid training.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to review the performance reports from the respective states to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the operation and recommend improvements.