India to Hold Nationwide Mock Drills on May 7 Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan

In a move to bolster civil defence preparedness, the Union Home Ministry has instructed several states to conduct mock drills on May 7, government sources said on Monday. These drills aim to train civilians and students on how to respond during a hostile attack.

The preparedness exercise will include activating air raid sirens, executing crash blackout protocols, camouflaging key installations, and rehearsing updated evacuation plans.

The directive comes in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people, primarily tourists, lost their lives. The Indian government has vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

On Sunday night, a 30-minute blackout drill was carried out in the Ferozepur Cantonment area, led by the Cantonment Board and Station Commander. “From 9 pm to 9:30 pm, all lights were turned off. Vehicles with lights on were asked to switch them off. Police remained on high alert at key intersections,” said Gurjant Singh, SHO of Ferozepur Cantt Police Station.

The government has given the armed forces complete autonomy to determine the nature and timing of India’s response to the attack. Diplomatic and economic actions have also been initiated, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

After an all-party meeting, opposition leaders expressed support for strong and decisive measures. Officials at a Cabinet Committee on Security briefing linked the attack to recent democratic and economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir.

Additionally, India has imposed an immediate ban on all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan, effectively bringing bilateral trade to a halt, according to a notification from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.