India on Thursday announced a civil defence exercise named “Operation Shield” in five states bordering Pakistan starting from May 31, amid regional tensions.
Interestingly, Indian authorities had yesterday issued notification which stated that the so called “Operation Shield” would take place on May 29 (today); however, it was postponed till June 3.
Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs of India has issued a notification with the subject, “Organizing 2nd Civil Defence Exercise Operation Shield”.
The mock drills are set to take place in following states: Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The notification read, “During the 1st Civil Defence Exercise, held on 07.05.2025, critical gaps in the Civil Defence preparedness of the vulnerable areas of the country were observed. Instructions to take necessary actions to suitable address the issues were also issued vide this directorate letter dated 09.05.2025. Accordingly, emergency powers were invoked and funding arrangement through SDRF was also done.”
It noted, “In order to augment the Civil Defence preparedness against the hostile attack, a 2nd Exercise ‘Operation Shield” in the all the districts of States/UTs, adjoining the Western border is hereby planned to be held on 31.05.2025.”
According to details, the civil defence mock drills will include a complete blackout of these states at night.
It merits a mention that before India launched cowardly attacks against Pakistani civilians on the night of May 6-7, it had announced the conduct of civil defence mock drills in some states.
Simulation of “military station being attack by a swarm of enemy drones” will also take place in India following its humiliating defeat by Pakistan in the early morning of May 10.
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