What is a mock drill? Why India is conducting a nationwide emergency exercise on May 7
Preparatory drills already underway 6 in Delhi and Lucknow
Dubai: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, the India's federal Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and union territories to conduct nationwide mock drills on May 7 to assess emergency preparedness and civil defence capabilities.
What is a mock drill?
A mock drill is a simulated emergency exercise designed to train civilians, students, police and disaster response teams to act swiftly and efficiently during crises such as terrorist attacks, air raids, or natural disasters.
These drills test the coordination, readiness and response speed of all involved parties.
Drills held in Delhi and Lucknow ahead of May 7 exercise
Preparatory drills were already underway on May 6 in Delhi and Lucknow. In the national capital, security has been heightened around Connaught Place. Delhi Chief Minister affirmed: "Delhi is fully prepared for it. The people of Delhi and the government are with the country, and we are following everything directed by the central government."
In Lucknow, an air raid siren test was conducted at the Police Lines, with police, civil defence, and local administration working together to prepare for the full-scale drill on May 7. A police officer told ANI, “Civil Defence, Police, and local administration are preparing for it today.”
In Jammu and Kashmir, mock drills were conducted in schools to train students on how to react in case of an emergency. “We inform the students how to save themselves in any adverse situation. We train them on how to lead themselves to a protected area,” a school teacher said.
What the nationwide drill involves
According to government sources, the May 7 drills will include:
Activation of air raid sirens
Training for civilians and students on how to take cover
Crash blackout protocols to reduce visibility of urban targets
Camouflaging vital installations
Evacuation plan rehearsals
Guidelines on public safety during sudden attacks
Crowd management protocols in disaster scenarios
Civil defence teams have also been briefed on safeguarding citizens and vital infrastructure during hostile attacks.
The drills come in the backdrop of increasing India-Pakistan tensions, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. With the Indian Army preparing at the border, the civil defence forces are being mobilized to enhance urban and civilian readiness in case of further escalation.
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