Operation Shield: Civil Defence Mock Drill To Be Held Across Jammu and Kashmir On May 31 Amid Heightened Tensions With Pakistan

Ravi Singh

Operation Shield, a key component of India’s national emergency preparedness strategy, will be conducted as a civil defence mock drill across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, May 31. Initially planned for May 29, the mock drills were postponed due to administrative concerns raised by several state governments. These drills are a critical part of the Centre’s efforts to bolster civil defence infrastructure, particularly in regions bordering Pakistan, in the wake of growing geopolitical tensions.

Earlier scheduled for simultaneous execution in Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Operation Shield exercise was expected to test the emergency response capabilities of civil administration and local law enforcement. However, while Jammu and Kashmir will now proceed with the drill on May 31, other participating states such as Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have deferred their plans. Officials in these states have cited administrative reasons for the delay, assuring that rescheduled dates will be communicated shortly.

The Operation Shield drill includes simulated scenarios such as air raid sirens, blackout procedures, evacuation rehearsals, and public awareness drives. These exercises aim to prepare civilians for potential emergency situations, particularly those resembling wartime conditions. According to officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, several lapses were observed in the earlier drill conducted on May 7, just ahead of Operation Sindoor, which underscored the urgent need for improved preparedness in high-risk areas.

Operation Sindoor itself was a landmark counter-terrorism mission carried out by Indian forces on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. During this operation, India targeted and dismantled terrorist hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) using advanced precision strike systems. The coordinated strike, executed between 1.05 AM and 1.30 AM, demonstrated India’s decisive military response to cross-border terrorism. In the following days, from May 8 onward, India successfully neutralised multiple Pakistani drone attacks through its robust air defence systems.

The civil defence drills under Operation Shield reflect a broader national strategy to involve civilian institutions and the public in emergency preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier instructed 244 districts to conduct awareness campaigns and practical drills. These efforts aim to ensure that both urban and rural populations are equipped to respond swiftly and effectively in case of any national security threats.

With the upcoming drill in Jammu and Kashmir, the government is reinforcing its commitment to national security and citizen safety. Officials have called for full cooperation from the public and local bodies to ensure the success of the exercise, emphasizing its importance in the current security climate.