Mock Drill Fallout: Union Home Secretary Calls High-Level Meet Next Day

A day after directing countrywide mock drills, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired an important meeting with chief secretaries and civil defence in-charges of all states and Union Territories to discuss preparations for the large-scale civil defence exercise on May 7. 

The high-level meeting, which was conducted in the wake of increased tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, was aimed at bolstering India's civil defence infrastructure in 244 districts that have been recognized as being susceptible to emerging and sophisticated threats.

Key topics covered were the operationalization of air-raid warning sirens, civilian drill for hostile attack situations, preparation and cleaning of bunkers and trenches, and crash-blackout and evacuation rehearsals.

 Drills will also check the operability of control rooms, hotlines, and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force and early camouflaging of strategic installations.

Authorities underscored that this is the first nationwide civil defense exercise since 1971, designed to test and increase preparedness at all levels of administration, down to villages. 

The drill is purely precautionary and aimed at strengthening national resilience in the present inclement security environment.