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| “Operation Shield’’, Strengthening National Security | | | Omkar Dattatray
We have become conversant with’’ Operation Sindoor’’ the Indian defence forces well thought out strike at the terrorists infrastructure and then in retaliation after Pakistan’s direct missile and drone strikes and our response was with restraint and full responsibility and our ‘’Ooperation Sindoor’’ was a total success. Now our civil defence, NCC, NSS and other volunteers of self-defence are embarking on the another operation called ‘’Operation Shield’’ as a preparatory strategy well before the actual conflict and through the ‘’Operation Shield’’ our civil defence, home guards, NCC, NSS etc are training people how to remain safe during a war. Operation Shield is aimed at testing response against possible hostile attacks. The civil defence mock drill,’’ Operation Shield’’ is planned to be conducted across four states and UT’s bordering Pakistan were planned to be held in all the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat on May 29, but it was later postponed due to some administrative reasons. Mock drill in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla and Kupwara districts. India in fact prepares for future threats with massive civil defence drills across border states. In a move to boost preparedness amid rising regional hostilities, India is launching an expansive civil defence exercise titled “Operation Shield’’ across states and UT’s bordering Pakistan. The exercise is a direct response to the escalating security situation following the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. The tragedy triggered Operation Sindoor –a series of Indian military strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and PoK on May 7, followed by a four -day exchange of fire and drone activity between the two sides of India and Pakistan. The Ministry of Home has tasked the Directorate of General of Fire Services and Home Guards with overseeing the drill aiming to close critical gaps in civil defence revealed during a preliminary exercise on May 7. The upcoming round, dubbed Operation Shield, will stimulate large-scale emergency responses in border districts across Jammu &Kashmir, Punjab, Rajesthan, Gujarat Haryana and Chandigarh. The drills will test coordination and response time across agencies through blackout, protocols, air raid siren activations, and mock executions. Scenarios will stimulate drone or missile strikes, with deployment of emergency medical teams, blood transport units, and hotlines between local administrations and Indian Air Force. Civil defence volunteers from NCC, NSS and the Bharat Scouts and Guides will be mobilized. The exercise will mirror real-time war -like conditions, with centrally controlled air sirens blaring, families being evacuated from military zones, and urban areas plunged into stimulated blackouts –all designed to train civilians and authorities in high -alert scenarios. In fact, the mock drill will include the activation of centrally controlled air raid sirens, blackout, protocols in civilian areas, and mock evacuation of families from military stations in the event of a drone attack. The mock drill will further involve the deployment of medical teams, transportational readiness to be ready for emergency .The MHA said the second edition of the nationwide civil defence mock drill, ‘Operation Shield’ will be conducted on May 31,2025 in the bordering states as mentioned above. The mock drill is aime d at enhancing readiness against potential hostile attacks and will take place under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. The mock drill is being coordinated by the Additional DG of civil defence. The Operation Shield has been planned in the wake heightened tensions with Pakistan after the terrorist attack at Pahalgam on April 22 which killed 26 civilians. In its strong response India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’on May 7, targeting terror camps at nine locations across Pakistan and Pok. The mock drill on May 31 will be carried out to enhance readiness against potential hostile attacks from Pakistan. The drill will be conducted to help identify key preparedness gaps that the defence forces came across ,post May 7 drills in high -risk areas. This mock drill follows observations made during the first drill on May 7, where officials identified critical gaps in civil defence preparedness in vulnerable regions. Based on those findings, the Home Ministry issued directives on May 9 to address the shortcomings, invoking emergency powers and arranging funding support through SDRF. Operation Shield is a nationwide civil defence exercise aimed at assessing and enhancing India’s preparedness against aerial threats such as air raids, drone attacks, and missile strikes. These drills involve coordinated efforts among local administration, police, military ,and civil defence units to stimulate emergency response scenarios. Activities will include activating air raid sirens, conducting communication drills with the Indian Air Force, and implementing blackout measures in designated areas. The original date of May 29 was postponed due to “administrative reasons’’ as confirmed by the MEA. Although specific details were not disclosed, such delays are typically due to logistical challenges or the need for better coordination among participating agencies. The new date of May 31 allows for improved preparation and ensures the smooth execution of the drills. As part of mock drill, preparedness would be tested on how to face air strikes from enemy aircrafts, drones, missile attacks among other things. It also involves public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about emergency procedures and safety protocols. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and cooperate during the drills. Residents are advised to follow safety instructions and avoid spreading rumours. To conclude it is clear that security agencies will conduct Operation Shield,a civil defence exercise, on May 31 across districts bordering Pakistan. The mock drill is scheduled to be conducted across districts bordering Pakistan on May 31 from 5 PM onwards. The Operation Shield will make public aware about the safety protocols which are to be necessarily followed and adhered by the public. Operation Shield is a opportune and good move of the government and it will prepare our civil defence, NCC, NSS, BSAG and NVK and other volunteers to be prepared for any emergency situation in case of a war.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist &Freelancer |
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