Op Sindoor Not Over, India Gears Up For ‘Operation Shield’. What Is It?

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 07:49 IST

Operation Shield: This exercise follows the first Civil Defence drill held on May 7, which helped identify key preparedness gaps in high-risk areas.

The drill will practice mass casualty management, with arrangements for 30 units of blood and the deployment of trained medical teams. (AI Generated Image)

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the second edition of the nationwide Civil Defence Exercise- Operation Shield, will be conducted on May 31, 2025, across all districts bordering India’s western frontier, including Jammu and Kashmir. The large-scale drill, aimed at enhancing readiness against potential hostile attacks, will take place under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, and is being coordinated by the Additional Director General of Civil Defence.

What Will Happen During Operation Shield?

This exercise follows the first Civil Defence drill held on May 7, which helped identify key preparedness gaps in high-risk areas. Building on those lessons, Operation Shield will simulate a range of emergency scenarios, including general and silent recall of civil defence volunteers, enemy air raids involving aircraft, drones, and missile strikes, and activation of communication hotlines between the Indian Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms. The exercise will also test the use of centrally controlled air raid sirens and enforce blackout procedures in civilian areas. Simulated drone attacks on military stations and evacuation drills—including the relocation of 20 mock casualties—are also planned. In addition, the drill will practice mass casualty management, with arrangements for 30 units of blood and the deployment of trained medical teams.

Who Will Participate In Operation Shield?

As part of the broader Rear Area Security Plan, the Indian Army has called for the immediate deployment of Border Wing Home Guards to work alongside designated armed forces units. Mobilisation and de-induction drills will further simulate troop movement to operational zones, testing the speed and coordination of military logistics.

All districts have been directed to conduct the exercise at 1700 hours on May 31, in coordination with local administrations. Youth organisations such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and the Bharat Scouts & Guides will also take part in the operation. Following the drill, districts are required to submit detailed action reports assessing their performance and identifying areas for improvement.

The order has been circulated to senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh. These authorities have been tasked with ensuring the smooth planning and execution of the exercise in their respective jurisdictions.

Why Was Operation Shield Postponed?

Originally scheduled for May 29, the exercise was postponed due to administrative reasons and will now take place on May 31, maintaining its objective of enhancing national preparedness through coordinated civil-military drills.

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