Srinagar, May 31: Civil defence drills were conducted across Kashmir on Saturday as part of the nationwide Operation Shield, aimed at assessing emergency preparedness in J&K.
The large-scale mock exercises come weeks after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
Held across all 10 districts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, and Awantipora, the exercises tested a wide range of emergency response capabilities.
The drills involved simulated air raids, blackout protocols, fire emergencies, mass evacuations, and coordinated movement of home guards and civil defence personnel.
In Srinagar, the heart of Kashmir, the drills were carried out in key areas including Lal Chowk, where a 10-minute blackout was enforced.
Authorities simulated a fire in a commercial complex to assess rescue operations, evacuation protocols, and the performance of firefighting teams.
ìWe conducted this civil defence drill in line with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under ëOperation Shieldí. The goal was to evaluate the readiness of our manpower, infrastructure, and emergency response mechanisms,î said Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, District Magistrate of Srinagar and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority. ìAs part of the drill, we also enforced a coordinated blackout to assess ground-level implementation.î
The exercise at Amar Niwas Complex in Srinagar was one of the major events of the day.
It was closely monitored by senior officials, including the Deputy Commissioner (DC), with participation from multiple emergency services, home guard units, and civil defence volunteers.
The mock scenario involved an air raid siren followed by evacuation and medical emergency response within a constrained time frame.
A senior Police officer highlighted the importance of such drills, especially in border areas that remain vulnerable to external threats.
ìKashmirís proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) makes it a high-risk zone. Operation Shield is designed to simulate real-life conflict scenarios such as air strikes, missile threats, and drone attacks. These exercises teach civilians how to stay safe indoors, respond during blackouts, and understand the importance of coordination between different emergency response agencies,î he said.
The May 25 drill was the second phase of Operation Shieldí.
The first phase, held on May 7, involved activation of air raid sirens across 250 locations in 33 states and union territories ó a security initiative not witnessed since the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
However, that drill had excluded J&K due to concurrent security operations at the time.
During Saturdayís drill in Kashmir, schools, hospitals, markets, and government offices participated in coordinated mock evacuation exercises.
Civilian volunteers were briefed on essential civil defence protocols like sheltering during bombings, handling panic situations, and administering first aid.
Officials said that the operation also sought to identify and address critical gaps in disaster preparedness and to strengthen inter-agency coordination.
ìThese simulations are not just about response, but also about prevention and awareness,î said a senior official from the Civil Defence Department. ìWe are now better placed to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of residents.î
The drills also served as a preparatory measure for future joint exercises involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Armed Forces, and local administration, ensuring that civil-military coordination remains seamless in times of crisis.
The success of ëOperation Shieldí in Kashmir is seen as a pivotal step in bolstering Indiaís internal defence posture amid ongoing regional tensions, and as part of a broader strategy to ensure civilian safety during both man-made and natural disasters.
Further evaluations and reports are expected to be compiled in the coming weeks to assess the effectiveness of the drills and incorporate feedback into future emergency response planning.
