“Operation Shield” aims to combat potential threats from enemy aircraft, drones, and missile attacks and is set to conduct a large-scale civil defence mock drill in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan at 5 PM today. The drill will also be conducted across the 5 bordering regions of Pakistan.  

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs commands the drill. It integrates Civil Defence Wardens with the local administration, alongside thousands of volunteer youths from the NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts & Guides. The participants, who come from various student-led organisations, are expected to perform key civil defence actions, such as simulated responses to the firing of bombs from above, activating air raid warning systems, and conducting intercom and radio check sessions between the Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms.

A crucial part of Operation Shield is maintaining blackout conditions in civilian areas adjacent to the exercise zones, except for emergency and critical services, which are allowed to function. Such a blackout is necessary to test the simulation of realistic scenarios that need to be addressed during an aerial attack, along with the agility of civilians and authorities. For instance, in Haryana, a 15-minute modified version of blackout is being implemented near critical installations while hospitals, as well as police and fire stations, remain unaffected.  

This exercise considers the recent Pahalgam terror attack, among other security concerns, and draws upon previous drills elaborated in the ‘Lessons Learned’ section. It has been explicitly made clear by authorities that these exercises are now being scheduled monthly in border districts to address gaps in real-time emergency drills and shift region-wide systematic response integration to address real-time threats.  

Citizens, however, have been advised by officials not to panic, as the objective of these drills is precautionary, aimed at further enhancing national security alignment through increased synergy between civil administration and the defence forces, as well as with the locals in charge of each town.  

The operation’s execution results, along with an analysis of its shielded outcomes, will be conducted at both the state and national levels to improve India’s border civil defence infrastructure further.

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