Pahalgam terror attack: Centre orders security drill on May 7
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over last month’s Pahalgam terror attack, the Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct drills for effective civil defence on May 7 (Wednesday).
During the drills, air raid warning sirens will be activated, and civilians and students will be trained in civil defence to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
There would be provisions for crash blackout measures and early camouflaging of vital plants and installations.
The states have been asked to update their evacuation plan and its rehearsal. At least 244 civil districts are participating in this mock drill.
The Centre has also convened a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Union Home Secretary, to review the preparedness for a nationwide mock drill.
Chief Secretaries of most states and Union Territories are expected to attend the meeting via video conferencing.
Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Railway Board, and representatives from Air Defence will also participate in the meeting.
The security drill advisory to states came amid repeated cross-border firings by Pakistan at Indian posts. For the past 11 consecutive nights, the Pakistan Army has resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), which has been strongly responded to by the Indian Army.