Due to directives from the Union Home Ministry, civil defence exercises, dubbed “Operation Shield,” scheduled for Thursday, May 29, have been postponed in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh. Punjab has proposed June 3 as the new date for its drill, which has been accepted by the Centre.
Initially, the civil defence exercise was planned for May 29 in states and Union Territories bordering the western frontier, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The exercise was intended to enhance emergency preparedness, especially after observing “critical gaps” during an earlier civil defence exercise on May 7. This earlier exercise, “Operation Sindoor,” followed an April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and involved targeting terror camps and Pakistani military bases.
Haryana’s Home Department announced the postponement of “Operation Shield,” which was to include a mock drill across all 22 districts between 5 pm and 9 pm. Deputy commissioners and other stakeholders have been notified.
The Chandigarh administration also confirmed the postponement, stating, “As per the directions received from the Government of India, it is hereby informed that the civil defence exercise Operation Shield, which was planned for May 29, is hereby postponed due to administrative reasons. There will be no blackout or mock drill tomorrow.”
Rajasthan officials also confirmed the postponement of their state-wide mock drill, citing administrative reasons and promising a new date soon. Guidelines for a blackout and mock drill had previously been issued for all 41 districts in Rajasthan.
Punjab, however, requested a different date for its drill, citing ongoing training for its civil defence staff by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The state proposed June 3, and the Centre has approved this date. Deputy commissioners in Punjab have been informed that the exercise will now take place on June 3 in all districts.
“Operation Shield” is designed to augment civil defence preparedness against hostile attacks. It will involve the activation of centrally controlled air raid sirens and complete blackout measures in adjoining civilian areas. The drills will also practice the evacuation of military families during drone attacks, the deployment of medical teams, and the transportation of blood units. Following the May 7 exercise, which revealed shortcomings, instructions for necessary actions were issued on May 9, and emergency powers were invoked, with funding arrangements made through the State Disaster Response Force.
