Security Drill in India Live Updates: Civil defence drills simulating multiple hostile scenarios conducted across country

As part of the nationwide emergency preparedness exercise, Delhi will activate air raid warning sirens today at 4 PM. Long wails will signal an alert, while short bursts will indicate the all-clear. Residents are advised to stop outdoor activity and head to designated shelters such as underground parking areas or basements.

An air raid siren test was conducted today at Police Lines in Lucknow as part of the nationwide preparations. According to police, civil defence, police personnel and the local administration are jointly working to ensure that tomorrow’s full-scale mock drills go smoothly. “Preparations are underway today for tomorrow’s execution,” an officer told ANI.

Chief Minister said Delhi is fully prepared for the civil defence exercise set for May 7. “The people of Delhi and the government are with the country, and we are following everything directed by the central government,” he said. Security has already been tightened in key locations including Connaught Place.

Bihar will conduct the civic defence mock drills on Wednesday, which include simulating air raid sirens, blackouts, and evacuation plans. This nationwide drill, mandated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, is part of a larger exercise to assess preparedness for potential security threats, particularly in light of rising tensions with Pakistan.

Speaking with ANI, DGP of Bihar, Vinay Kumar, said that the state is prepared to conduct the mock drills and assured that all the preparations for it have been made.

"Bihar is all prepared for the mock drill. We also held a meeting with all our departments. All the arrangements have been made. Some districts have been kept on standby, too...We will also explain to the public what to do and what not to do... They are also being made aware of the procedure," he said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct a significant aerial exercise near the India-Pakistan border, commencing May 7, with participation from its advanced combat aircraft, as confirmed by IAF officials on Monday.

The exercise will feature the IAF's premier fighter aircraft fleet, including the Rafale, Mirage 2000 and Sukhoi-30s, according to official sources.

Aviation authorities have issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating that the exercise will run until May 15, with temporary restrictions on civilian air traffic over certain areas of Rajasthan during the operation.

The designated restricted areas encompass the Pokhran range and its neighbouring regions.

The NOTAM specified that "All civil scheduled flights operating in the exercise areas will be accommodated by the Indian Air Force."

This military exercise follows recent heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the Pahalgam incident where 26 individuals, primarily tourists, lost their lives in a terror attack.

Pakistan violated the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhimber Gali hours after India carried out precision strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK under 'Operation Sindoor', prompting an "appropriately" response from the Indian Army.

In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) posted: "Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in the Poonch-Rajouri area. Indian Army is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner."

The artillery fire from across the border came hours after India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

"A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched 'OPERATION SINDOOR', hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," said an official statement from the Minister of Defence.

Altogether, nine (9) sites have been targeted.

Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution, said MoD.

Further, as per the Ministry, these steps come in the wake of the "barbaric" Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.

There will be a detailed briefing on 'OPERATION SINDOOR', later today, the MoD added in its statement.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, the Indian Army said: "Justice is served. Jai Hind!"

In an earlier post, the Army had written: "prhaaraay snnihitaaH, jyaay prshikssitaaH" Ready to strike, trained to win.

India on Wednesday said it has launched military strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir targeting terrorist infrastructure in retaliation against the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. The Indian Army said nine sites were targeted in the strike under 'Operation Sindoor'.

"A little while ago, the Indian Armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," the Army said in a statement early Wednesday.

It said the actions by the Indian Armed forces have been "focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature".

"No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," the Indian Army said.

India's actions came two weeks after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack triggered widespread outrage in India and abroad.

"These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered," the Army said in the statement.

"We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable," it said.

In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Modi on April 29 gave the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Modi also emphasised the national resolve to deal a "crushing blow to terrorism".

India’s civil defence drill is not limited to cities or army bases. It will extend all the way to rural villages. The idea is to include everyone—from students to volunteers—in practising emergency steps in case of war or terror. People will hear sirens, experience planned blackouts, and be part of evacuation practice. Civil defence wardens, home guards, and NCC cadets will help carry out the drill. The government has identified loopholes in earlier drills and wants this one to be tighter and more effective. This is one of the most detailed exercises India has ever done to protect its people.

India’s civil defence exercise on May 7 is being compared to wartime preparations from the past. With tensions high after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities are preparing for worst-case scenarios. The mock drill will simulate hostile strikes, like those seen during the wars of 1962, 1965, and 1971. Volunteers, students, and local officials will rehearse emergency actions across nearly 300 civil defence districts. These areas will practise moving people to shelters, running shadow control rooms, and protecting vital assets. Officials stress that it’s a rehearsal for real emergencies, and not just a routine activity.

India is conducting one of its biggest emergency exercises tomorrow to test its readiness for attacks. This comes just weeks after a deadly terror strike in Kashmir killed 26 people. The drill will include blackout protocols, air raid sirens, evacuation tests, and civil defence training. Special focus is on civil defence districts, areas with key installations like dams and refineries. Government agencies, school students, and local volunteers will be involved. High-ranking officials have been reviewing the plans. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, the aim is not just readiness, but also to show potential enemies that India is alert.

India has marked 244 regions as “civil defence districts” to carry out a large mock drill simulating war-like emergencies. These areas, which may include cantonments or critical infrastructure, have been chosen for their strategic importance. The drill will involve air raid sirens, blackout drills, camouflaging of key facilities, and training civilians. The plan is to extend these activities to village level, ensuring even rural areas are prepared. Officials say the exercise will help close loopholes in preparedness. The Ministry of Home Affairs is coordinating the effort across states, while urging every district to ensure full participation of local volunteers.

To boost disaster preparedness and inter-agency coordination, the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered a state-wide Civil Defence Mock Drill across all districts of Tripura on May 7. Organised by District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in partnership with Civil Defence Corps, the exercise will test the efficiency of various emergency agencies in handling simulated hostile attacks and crises. The drill includes scenarios such as air raid warnings, evacuations, fire-fighting, first aid, and restoration of essential services. Trained civil defence volunteers, working with police, fire, and health departments, will lead key response actions. Authorities have asked the public to stay calm, clarifying it’s only a preparedness drill.

India will hold a nationwide civil defence mock drill on May 7, focusing on over 244 special districts with military bases, nuclear plants, and refineries. This large-scale drill comes after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 killed 26 civilians. The aim is to improve readiness for hostile attacks through activities like air raid sirens, blackouts, and evacuation rehearsals. Thousands of volunteers, including NCC, NSS, and students will take part. The Union Home Secretary held a high-level review meeting. Authorities hope this drill will not only boost safety but also remind citizens of past wars and the need for vigilance.