India conducts mock drills across four states bordering Pakistan, raising fresh concerns over regional stability. The India mock drill news comes just after a ceasefire was brokered between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, indicating that New Delhi remains on high alert.
The mock drill on 29 May 2025 involves coordinated civil defence exercises in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana. These large-scale drills aim to evaluate emergency preparedness in the wake of heightened national security threats, according to Indian media reports quoting official sources.
Why Mock Drill Again?
With tensions still simmering after India’s recent airstrikes in Pakistan earlier this month—which reportedly struck civilian areas and killed at least 26 people including worshippers in mosques—the question on many minds is: Why mock drill again? Indian authorities claim the drills are meant to strengthen coordination between civil administration, defence forces, and local communities in anticipation of possible cross-border threats.
The drills are being carried out under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and will simulate wartime scenarios such as air raids, drone attacks, and power outages—situations that have become increasingly relevant in light of modern warfare strategies.
“Operation Shield” Launched in Haryana
The state of Haryana has rolled out a massive exercise dubbed “Operation Shield”, involving all 22 districts. Scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm on 29th May 2025, this mock drill aims to test the state’s readiness to handle emergencies such as air strikes and infrastructure disruptions.
Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana’s Home Department, stated, “The exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities, and identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis.”
Planned Blackout for Emergency Simulation
As part of the operation, a controlled blackout observed from 8:00 pm to 8:15 pm near vital installations such as airports, railways, and communication centres. Emergency services including hospitals, fire departments, and police stations are exempted from the blackout.
This simulation follows a similar drill conducted on 7 May, which took place shortly after India launched airstrikes on Pakistani territory—a move that escalated military tensions and drew international concern.
Strategic Objectives Behind the Drills
The primary goal of these drills, according to Indian officials, is to assess vulnerabilities and ensure readiness against potential aggression. However, the timing of the India conducts mock drills campaign has raised eyebrows internationally, especially given the fragile ceasefire in place.
Security analysts believe that India’s increased focus on such exercises signals a broader shift in regional defence posture, aimed at both deterrence and internal crisis management.
With tensions between India and Pakistan far from resolved, today’s mock drill on 29 May 2025 reflects growing anxiety over national security and the need for robust preparedness. The ongoing India mock drill news will likely continue to make headlines in the coming days as defence experts and political observers analyse its implications for South Asia’s already volatile security landscape.
