Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were massacred in the Pahalgam terror attack.
New Delhi: Amid the volatile, unpredictable situation and tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) on Monday, 05 May 2025, asked several states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday, May 7 for effective civil defence, government sources said.
Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were massacred in the Pahalgam terror attack.
The MHA sources said that the measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, among others on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
The sources said measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.
Earlier on Sunday, May 4, a 30-minute rehearsal for blackout was conducted in the entire Ferozpur Cantonment area of Punjab. The rehearsal was conducted on the guidelines of the Cantonment Board/Station Commander.
“The blackout was from 9 pm to 9:30 pm. As per the orders of the senior officers, lights were fully switched off. If any vehicle was found with its light turned on, it was turned off. Police are fully alert. Deployment has been made at all intersections,” said Gurjant Singh, SHO, Ferozepur Cantt Police Station.
The blackout drill was carried at the border town out from 9 pm to 9:30 pm,
Earlier, the Ferozepur Cantonment Board wrote to Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma about carrying out the blackout drill.
“You are requested to ensure adequate security arrangements during this period, given the total blackout. This rehearsal aims to ensure preparedness and effectiveness in implementing blackout procedures during prevailing war threats. Your support and cooperation are crucial in making this exercise successful,” the letter said.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified patrolling along the international border while Punjab Police has set up checkpoints at all strategic locations as a precautionary measure.
The exercise will also involve the implementation of crash blackout measures, simulating a power-outage scenario to reduce visibility during potential air raids. Authorities have been instructed to ensure early camouflaging of vital installations and strategic infrastructure as part of the preparedness effort. Additionally, the drills will include the updating and rehearsal of evacuation plans to ensure a swift and orderly response in the event of an emergency.
