States Advised to Hold Security Drills on May 7 Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
The Centre has issued a security drill advisory to states for May 7, directing civil defence exercises amid fears of a hostile attack following the Pahalgam terror strike.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed multiple states to conduct comprehensive security drills on Wednesday, May 7, aimed at bolstering civil defence readiness, government sources said. This directive comes in the wake of rising tensions with Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Officials said the drills will involve air raid sirens, blackout procedures, and evacuation rehearsals. Students and civilians will also be trained on survival techniques during hostile attacks.
States have been directed to implement crash blackout measures and camouflage vital infrastructure such as power plants and military facilities. According to sources, the advisory emphasizes readiness for worst-case scenarios, including aerial strikes or missile attacks.
Each state is required to update and rehearse its evacuation plans. Government sources said the move is aimed at reducing vulnerability in urban centres and border regions.
The advisory follows 11 consecutive nights of unprovoked firing by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC), prompting strong retaliatory action from Indian forces.
On April 22, Pakistan-backed terrorists targeted tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, including a Nepali national. It was the deadliest attack since the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
India has responded to the Pahalgam massacre with sweeping diplomatic and military countermeasures. These include suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines, and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
Pakistan, anticipating a retaliatory strike, has stepped up missile tests and reinforced border defences. Some Pakistani officials have accused India of preparing for “military misadventure.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held multiple high-level security meetings and granted “full operational freedom” to the armed forces to choose how and when to respond to the Pahalgam attack.
He vowed to pursue the attackers and their handlers, stating they would be “tracked down to the ends of the earth.”
