Mock Drill Under ‘Operation Shield’ To Be Held In 6 States, UTs On May 31 | What We Know

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 07:16 IST

Mock Drill May 31: Originally scheduled for May 29, the exercise had been postponed earlier this week citing “administrative reasons.”

Mock Drill: The drill will include silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers, evacuation drills, and emergency communication exercises.

The Union Home Ministry issued a formal notification announcing “Operation Shield," a major civil defence mock drill, to be conducted on May 31 (Saturday) in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh- regions that share a border with Pakistan. Originally scheduled for May 29, the exercise had been postponed earlier this week citing “administrative reasons." Officials have now confirmed that all preparations are in place for the revised date.

What is Operation Shield?

Operation Shield is part of a civil defence preparedness initiative by the government, aimed at testing and strengthening the nation’s response to possible external threats, including: Air raids by enemy aircraft, drone incursions, missile attacks, civilian evacuation and alert protocols.

What Will Happen During The Drills?

The drill will include silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers, evacuation drills, and emergency communication exercises. The announcement comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives.

Will May 31 Drills Be Similar To May 7 Drills?

Yes, much like the May 7 drills which were launched hours before Operation Sindoor, May 31 drills will be conducted. Although on May 7, the government conducted its first nationwide civil defence drill to test readiness in vulnerable zones while Saturday’s drill will be limited to six States and Union Territories.

In Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were followed by four days of military escalation from May 7 to 10, during which India targeted Pakistani military bases, while Pakistan responded with heavy shelling and attempted drone and missile attacks along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC).

Why Border States Are Being Focused This Time?

Officials say the second drill is focused on border states due to heightened threat perception in the wake of cross-border hostilities. These regions are viewed as high-risk zones and key strategic buffers in case of aerial or ground aggression.

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