Amid intensifying tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed several states to conduct civil defence drills on May 7 (Wednesday). Government sources revealed that the aim is to ensure preparedness for any hostile situation, especially in the wake of heightened cross-border provocations.
According to officials, the drills will involve the activation of air raid sirens and training sessions for civilians and students on how to safeguard themselves in the event of an attack. Key aspects of the civil defence exercise include crash blackouts, early camouflage of critical installations, and mock evacuation protocols. States have been asked to update and rehearse their evacuation plans to improve emergency responsiveness.
This directive comes at a time when Pakistan has intensified firing across the Line of Control (LoC), engaging in unprovoked shelling for the past 11 consecutive nights. The Indian Army has strongly retaliated, maintaining a high state of readiness along the border.
The situation escalated after Pakistan-backed terrorists carried out a brutal attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 people, including a Nepali tourist. It was the deadliest terrorist strike in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama CRPF convoy attack.
In anticipation of possible Indian retaliation, Pakistan has ramped up its defence preparedness, reinforcing border outposts and conducting missile tests. These moves suggest Islamabad’s concern over a potential surgical or military strike by New Delhi.
India has already launched a series of diplomatic and strategic countermeasures. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines, and withdrawal from bilateral engagements. In response, Pakistan has retaliated by halting the Simla Agreement, signaling a serious breakdown in diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a firm stance, holding a series of high-level security meetings. According to government sources, he has given “full operational freedom” to the Indian Armed Forces to decide the timing, mode, and targets for a potential response to the Pahalgam massacre.
In a strong and resolute message, the Prime Minister has vowed to track down the perpetrators of the terror attack, along with their handlers and supporters, declaring that India will “pursue them to the ends of the earth.” This statement underscores the government’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and signals a possible escalation in India’s response.
With national security on high alert and public safety becoming a priority, the civil defence drills on May 7 will serve as a critical preparatory step amid these volatile developments between India and Pakistan.
