In a concerted bid to bolster civilian and administrative preparedness along Indias sensitive western front, the Punjab Government will conduct a large-scale civil defence mock drill —under Operation Shield — at 6 pm on May 31, 2025, across its six strategic border districts. The drill will simulate responses to aerial attacks, including drone and missile strikes, under full blackout conditions. The second exercise of its kind, Operation Shield follows the Union Ministry of Home Affairs directive under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. It comes in the wake of increasing hostilities along the international border and the recent Pahalgam terror attack, underscoring the growing importance of civilian readiness in conflict scenarios. A state government spokesperson informed that the drill will be conducted simultaneously in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka — all of which have experienced heightened security threats due to their geographical proximity to Pakistan. The first phase of the civil defence drill was conducted on May 7 under Operation Abhyaas, covering key urban centres like Amritsar, Mohali, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. Unlike conventional preparedness drills, Operation Shield is specifically tailored to simulate real-time wartime scenarios. These include air raid sirens, blackout enforcement, rapid civil response, and emergency evacuation drills in the event of drone attacks or missile strikes. Emergency services such as police, fire brigades, civil defence units, and local administration will coordinate during the drill, mimicking wartime urgency and logistical challenges. Punjabs security landscape has dramatically changed over the past year. Missile fragments discovered in Kapurthala and Ludhiana, and a deadly drone strike in Ferozepur, have validated fears of vulnerability to cross-border aggression. The attacks on Pathankot and Adampur air bases, though limited in scale, further highlighted the need for public readiness. Mock drills are no longer a matter of procedural formality — they are a strategic necessity. Operation Shield aimed at ensuring swift, coordinated, and confusion-free response mechanisms in the face of imminent danger. Public cooperation is not just expected but imperative. Ahead of the drill, residents have been advised to charge electronic devices, prepare emergency kits, and avoid panic. Flashlights, radios, ID cards, and basic medicines should be kept handy. During the blackout, all indoor and outdoor lights — including those running on inverters or generators — must be turned off. Gas appliances should be shut, and families must gather in pre-identified safe spots, away from windows. Residents are also urged not to spread unverified information via social media or messaging platforms. After the sirens sound, people should stay indoors and await official instructions before resuming normal activity. The exercise excludes hospitals and nursing homes from full blackout enforcement, but they have been directed to cover windows and remain alert.

Stay updated with all the Chandigarh Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.