In a historic and precautionary move, the Government of India has launched a nationwide civil defence drill starting Wednesday, aimed at preparing citizens and emergency services for possible war-like or terrorist attack situations. This comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
While neither nation has officially declared war, diplomatic relations have sharply deteriorated, prompting the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs to activate emergency protocols. The last time such a civil defence initiative took place was during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Now, after over five decades, the country is being mobilized once again—not just the armed forces, but civilians, students, and local administrations alike.
🛡️ Why This Drill, and Why Now?
The recent terrorist strike in Pahalgam has ignited fresh diplomatic turmoil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed a strong response, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warning that those who support terrorism will not be spared. The drill aims to evaluate how prepared the nation is—not just militarily, but at the grassroots level.
According to a 2010 notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are 259 Civil Defence Districts in 27 states and 8 Union Territories, including 31 locations in West Bengal. This initiative will be rolled out across all these zones in coordination with local administrations.
🚨 Key Objectives of the Civil Defence Drill
The core goals of this nationwide initiative are:
Educate citizens on how to respond to airstrikes or terrorist attacks
Re-activate siren warning systems, especially in metros like Kolkata
Conduct mock drills in schools and colleges to train studentsTest coordination among police, home guards, hospitals, fire services, and rescue teams
Promote emergency preparedness in households, especially in urban areas
🏫 Students and Youth at the Forefront
In an inclusive move, the Ministry has instructed that NCC cadets, Nehru Yuva Kendra members, and school/college students must participate in the drills. Demonstrations will show them how to:
Move to safe zones when sirens sound
React during blackouts or power outages
Help families stay calm and follow safety protocols
Understand the importance of keeping essential emergency supplies ready
Prominent schools like La Martiniere in Kolkata will be actively participating.
🔊 Siren Systems Reactivated Across States
Each district in India has been directed to reactivate 20 to 25 sirens, with Kolkata alone having 95 sirens, many of which were previously defunct. Rapid repair and testing are currently underway to ensure the warning system functions efficiently.
These sirens will be key in alerting citizens during air raids, missile threats, or blackouts, forming an essential part of the urban response system.
💡 What Should Citizens Keep Ready? Emergency Supply Checklist
The drill will include education campaigns advising families to stock up on:
Torches and spare batteries
Candles and matchboxes/lighters
First aid kits and essential medicines
Dry food and bottled water
Important documents in waterproof cases
Cash, in case digital payments fail during crisis
Citizens will also be informed about hotline communication and emergency radio-based messaging systems for real-time alerts.
🚁 Army Helicopter Landing in Siliguri Raises Eyebrows
In a seemingly unrelated but closely watched event, an Indian Army helicopter made an emergency landing near Jabrabita area of Siliguri on Tuesday due to mechanical failure. While officials clarified it was technical in nature, the timing has fueled speculation given the ongoing civil defence activities.
🧩 Who Will Conduct the Drills?
There is still some ambiguity about which authorities will conduct the training. In some areas, it could be the police, while others may see involvement from the military or Civil Defence Department. However, all drills are being overseen by the District Magistrates and local officials under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
A high-level virtual meeting was chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, attended by key figures including West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, and Civil Defence DG Jagmohan, where the scope and responsibilities of the drill were finalized.
🧭 Preparedness Is Key, Even If There’s No War
While war remains an undesirable outcome, the government’s focus on civil preparedness signals a proactive approach. From activating sirens to testing ambulance availability and hospital readiness, the country is bracing for any emergency scenario.