New Delhi: In a significant move to boost national security, India will conduct high-intensity security drills across key border districts in Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir on May 31, following a brief postponement due to administrative reasons. The operation, designed to enhance readiness and public awareness in regions most vulnerable to cross-border threats, comes in the wake of escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
Originally planned for earlier this week under Operation Shield, the drills were delayed but are now set to roll out with heightened urgency. Sources confirm these exercises will become a monthly affair, especially in areas adjacent to the Pakistan border.
The security agencies will activate air raid sirens, conduct civil defence training, and simulate emergency responses to potential air or ground attacks. Key objectives include testing the efficiency of control rooms, air raid alert systems, evacuation protocols, and firefighting units, along with mass civilian awareness and volunteer enlistment through official portals.
In Gujarat, drills will be held across all districts, where citizens are encouraged to register as civil defence volunteers. The focus will be on real-time response strategies in the event of airstrikes.
This initiative follows Operation Abhyas — a nationwide preparedness drill held on May 7, just hours before the launch of Operation Sindoor, during which 32 northern airports were shut down as a defensive measure against aerial threats.
Punjab, with its 532-km border with Pakistan, had declared high alert across districts like Ferozepur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran, suspending all public gatherings and shutting down schools. Similarly, Rajasthan, which shares a 1,037-km border, closed educational institutions and heightened vigilance in its frontier zones.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasized that these drills are critical given the recent wave of cross-border attacks, making it imperative for both the public and administration to be well-prepared. The drills — the first of their scale since the 1971 Indo-Pak war — have already been conducted at 250 locations across 33 states and UTs, setting the tone for a new era of proactive defence preparedness.
Civilians in affected districts are advised to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and cooperate fully with authorities.
