India to stage massive civil defence drill amid rising tensions with Pakistan

Civil Defense May 7 exercise spans 244 districts, triggering concerns over fear-mongering and political theatrics

NEW DELHI (MNTV) – The Indian government will conduct a sweeping civil defence mock drill across 244 districts on May 7, marking the largest such exercise since the 1971 war. 

Billed as a proactive security measure, the initiative comes in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 dead, and amid simmering tensions with Pakistan following a recent missile test by Islamabad.

Directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the drill is set to simulate wartime scenarios with air raid sirens, temporary blackouts, and evacuation procedures in selected urban and rural areas. 

The stated aim is to assess emergency response capacities and enhance public readiness in the face of external threats.

A wide array of participants—including civil defence wardens, home guards, cadets, students, and district officials—will take part in the operation. Members of Parliament have been instructed to join the drill as ordinary citizens to emphasize a “collective national effort,” in coordination with local authorities.

According to government documents, the 244 districts have been categorized into three levels of sensitivity, with 13 labeled “Category 1”—the most vulnerable to attack.

These include strategically located regions in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.

While the government touts the drill as a necessary measure to protect national security, experts warn of its political subtext. 

Analysts argue that the scale and theatrics of the operation risk fueling public paranoia and could serve as a distraction from the lack of clarity surrounding the Pahalgam incident itself, which has raised serious concerns regarding the security of the region.