District Administration Kulgam Conducts Large-Scale Civil Defence Mock Drill Under ‘Operation Shield’

Danishwar Hameed 

Kulgam, May 31: In a significant step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities, the District Administration Kulgam today conducted a comprehensive Civil Defence Mock Drill under the initiative titled ‘Operation Shield’.

The coordinated drill was carried out across multiple key institutions, including Government Degree College (GDC) Kulgam, GDC D.H. Pora, AMGDC Kilam, and GDC Frisal. The primary objective of the exercise was to test inter-departmental coordination, assess emergency protocols, and raise public awareness on how to respond effectively to crises—ranging from natural calamities to hostile threats.

The mock drills were executed with the active involvement of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Kulgam, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department, Revenue Department, and were further bolstered by the enthusiastic participation of NSS and NCC cadets.

Simulation activities included mock evacuations, fire-fighting demonstrations, basic first aid response, and crowd management strategies. The drills provided hands-on experience and helped instill confidence among participants in handling emergency situations swiftly and safely.

Speaking on the occasion, a senior district official emphasized the importance of such preparedness drives. “Operation Shield aims to ensure that our institutions and the public are fully prepared to deal with any emergency—whether man-made or natural. These drills not only test our coordination and readiness but also educate the masses about their role in times of crisis,” the official said.

The initiative was widely appreciated by staff, students, and local residents, who hailed it as a proactive move towards building a more resilient and informed community.