Security drill advisory to several states for May 7 .... first time since 1971

 

Security drill advisory to multiple states for May 7 in event of hostile attack 

The government has asked several states to conduct drills for effective civil defence on May 7 (Wednesday) amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. 

Air raid sirens, evacuation advised as Centre orders drills on May 7: Sources

 

During the security drills, air raid warning sirens will be activated, and civilians and students will be trained on civil defence to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

Focus on blackout measures, camouflaging vital installations

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over last month's Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked several states to conduct drills for effective civil defence on May 7 (Wednesday).

During the drills, air raid warning sirens will be activated, and civilians and students will be trained in civil defence to protect themselves to deal with challenging situations.

There would be provisions for crash blackout measures and early camouflaging of vital plants and installations. The states have been asked to update their evacuation plan and its rehearsal, government sources said.

For the past 11 consecutive nights, the Pakistan Army has resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), which has been strongly responded to by the Indian Army.

It came after Pakistan-backed terrorists opened fire on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, killing 26 people, including a Nepali national. 

It was the worst attack in the Kashmir Valley since the assault on CRPF personnel in Pulwama in 2019.

Pakistan, fearing Indian retaliation, has ramped up its defence preparedness, strengthened its border outposts and has been conducting missile tests in anticipation of a military strike.

Some Pak leaders and ministers have claimed that India may strike Pakistan soon.

India has taken sweeping diplomatic measures as part of its response to the Pahalgam massacre, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the shutting of its airspace to Pakistani airlines.

Islamabad has paused the Simla Agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has held a series of high-level meetings on the Pahalgam attack, has given "full operational freedom" to the armed forces to choose the mode, targets and timings to respond to the carnage of April 22.

The Prime Minister has vowed to track down the terrorists, their handlers and backers, and "pursue them to the ends of earth".

Ends