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KKN Gurugram Desk | Amid heightened national security concerns following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and ongoing India-Pakistan border tension, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed key border states to conduct another round of civil defense exercises under ‘Operation Shield’. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan will conduct coordinated mock drills, simulating wartime scenarios such as aerial attacks, drone strikes, and emergency response systems. The aim is to enhance civil defense preparedness, test real-time communication systems, and assess the readiness of state agencies. Punjab: Full Blackout Drill in Jalandhar and Other Districts In Punjab, Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Agarwal confirmed that a blackout drill will be conducted across the district from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Key Measures in Punjab: Air raid sirens will be activated before the blackout begins. Complete lighting shutdown will be enforced across sensitive zones. The blackout is being carried out under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, invoking special powers during national emergencies. A government spokesperson said that critical services like hospitals, police, and fire stations will remain operational, but all other lighting and public-facing activities are expected to pause temporarily. Haryana: State-Wide Mock Drill and Controlled Blackout Haryana has announced that all 22 districts will participate in the civil defense mock drill aimed at boosting emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities. Drill Schedule and Features in Haryana: The mock drill will begin at 5:00 PM and continue into the evening. Simulations will include: Aerial bombardment scenarios Drone intrusion alerts Wartime communication failures A controlled blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM will be implemented in areas around critical infrastructure. Essential services such as hospitals and law enforcement will be exempted. Haryana government officials emphasized that the drill aims to test civilian awareness and the efficiency of response protocols. Rajasthan: Real-Time War Simulation and Communication Check In Rajasthan, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant chaired a high-level review meeting ahead of the scheduled mock drill. The state is focusing on a comprehensive simulation aligned with MHA guidelines. Rajasthan's Preparedness Highlights: Authorities have been asked to ensure operational readiness of sirens and all communication channels. District-level civil defense controllers have been empowered to set the blackout timing based on local conditions. The blackout locations and schedules will be kept confidential to simulate real-time unpredictability of wartime events. Officers were instructed to build upon the lessons from the previous drills to improve their capabilities. Sudhansh Pant reiterated the importance of strict adherence to central protocols, including: Strengthening inter-agency coordination Ensuring public safety Adhering to disaster response frameworks under India’s civil defense system Background: What is Operation Shield? Operation Shield is a comprehensive civil defense preparedness campaign initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs in May 2025. Its objective is to: Prepare border states for military or terrorist threats Simulate blackout and air raid responses in real-life conditions Ensure public awareness and participation Evaluate infrastructure response capabilities The first drills were held on May 7, 2025, across Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir, but were later postponed in some regions due to administrative constraints. Now, the Ministry has rescheduled the second round of drills, focusing on the western border belt, which remains a high-alert zone given escalating geopolitical tensions. Legal and Administrative Framework The current drills are being conducted under the provisions of: Civil Defence Act, 1968 Section 19 empowers local administration to enforce temporary restrictions in times of national threat MHA Directives (2025): All western border districts to conduct civil defense simulations Officials clarified that the blackout drills are preventive and educational, not reactionary. These measures are meant to ensure that states, citizens, and services are well-coordinated during any real security emergency. What Should Citizens Know and Do? Residents in affected areas (especially border districts) are advised to: Remain calm and cooperative during siren and blackout periods Switch off all non-essential lights and electronics during the designated blackout time Avoid unnecessary travel between 9 PM and 10 PM Follow official social media handles of local administration for verified updates Report unusual activity or security concerns to local police immediately Emergency services such as ambulance, firefighting, and law enforcement will remain fully functional during and after the drill. Government Message to Citizens “These drills are not meant to alarm but to educate. India’s security landscape requires us to be prepared. The cooperation of citizens is crucial in ensuring that civil defense mechanisms function smoothly.”— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs Summary Table: Key Drill Details (May 31, 2025) State Drill Time Blackout Schedule Key Features Punjab 9:30 PM – 10:00 PM Full blackout in Jalandhar Sirens, total light cut-off, Section 19 invoked Haryana 5:00 PM onward 8:00 – 8:15 PM Air raid, drone simulation, limited blackout Rajasthan Timing varies locally Disclosed confidentially Communication test, blackout discretion to officials Why This Drill Matters: Strategic Implications Given India’s strategic vulnerabilities along its western borders, the mock drills serve multiple long-term goals: Testing wartime readiness of civilian and military networks Engaging the public in national preparedness culture Training government departments to handle synchronized crisis management Strengthening inter-state coordination and disaster response protocols Security experts believe these exercises will become more frequent and technically advanced, especially in light of evolving aerial threats like drones and missile strikes. Follow-Up Measures and Feedback Collection Following the completion of the drills: Each district will submit a post-drill report to the MHA Feedback from local residents may be gathered to improve future exercises A detailed performance evaluation matrix will be issued for inter-state comparison

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