Nationwide drill: India prepares for mega civil defence exercise after Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack

NEW DELHI: As India gears up for the nationwide mock drill on Wednesday, focus will be on the designated 'civil defence districts' across the country some of which have sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams.The civil defence exercise, one of the biggest in recent times, comes amid rising tensions following Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack left 26 innocent civilians dead on April 22 and is bound to revive memories of full-scale wars — with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.The drill will simulate wartime scenarios and include air raid sirens, blackout protocols and public training to boost civil defence preparations and to enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across states and Union Territories in the event of an "hostile attack." The other measures are provisions for early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updation of evacuation plans and their rehearsal.Mock exercises will extend down to the village level and involve active participation from civil defence wardens, home guards, NCC, NSS, NYKS, students, and other community volunteers.At the centre of this huge exercise are the 244 designated civil defence districts - the frontline regions tasked with organising, executing, and refining civil defence operations. These districts play a crucial role in training volunteers, managing local responses, and ensuring seamless coordination among civilian and security forces during crises.News agency PTI quoting sources said the 'civil defence districts' are different from the normal administrative district, as a geographical area having a cantonment or a refinery or a nuclear plant and may be designated as such depending on the requirement and exigency."Such districts are designated by the respective state authorities, and we believe, the mock drills will be carried out in nearly 300 such civil defence districts across the country," the sources said.Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Tuesday held a meeting over the mock drills which was attended by several high-ranking officials, including DG Civil Defence and DG NDRF."We are reviewing preparedness. Loopholes to be rectified have been identified," said a member of the National Disaster Management Authority after the MHA meeting.Meanwhile, all states and Union Territories are are gearing up for the exercise announcing elaborate measures for the drill.(With inputs from agencies)