Haryana to conduct statewide mock drill Operation Shield tomorrow
A 15-minute blackout will also be observed from 8 pm to 8.15 pm near vital installations across Haryana on Thursday, authorities informed.
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Mock drills will also be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Gujarat on Thursday evening, authorities said. (Express photo)
On Thursday, Haryana will conduct ‘Operation Shield’, a state-wide civil defence exercise to further strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities in war-like situations.
The comprehensive drill, slated to begin at 5 pm, is being organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and will simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the wake of national security concerns. Additionally, a controlled blackout of 15 minutes will be observed from 8 pm to 8.15 pm near vital installations, with the exception of essential emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations.
Mock drills will also be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Gujarat on Thursday evening, authorities said.
Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Haryana said, “The exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities, and identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis.”
“The drill will involve large-scale mobilisation of civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and youth organisations, including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Bharat Scouts & Guides, to assist in simulated emergency scenarios. Key components include drills responding to aerial threats such as air raids and swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), activation of air raid sirens, and testing of control room communication hotlines established with the Indian Air Force,” Misra said.
The additional chief secretary highlighted that the exercise aligns with the Incident Response System (IRS) which Haryana officially notified on January 28, 2025, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, providing a structured framework for effective emergency response.
On Wednesday, Misra directed all deputy commissioners, who also chair the district disaster management authorities, as well as commissioners and superintendents of police, to ensure meticulous planning and execution of the mock drill in their jurisdictions.
“They have been instructed to submit detailed Action Taken Reports to the Commandant General, Home Guards, and Director, Civil Defence, Haryana, which will be compiled for state-level review and forwarded to the MHA. The above mock exercises are scheduled for May 29 between 5 pm and 9 pm and should not be a cause of alarm for citizens,” Misra added.
Earlier, a statewide mock drill, Operation Abhyaas, was conducted on May 7 shortly after Operation Sindoor, India’s military operation which targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
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