Mock Drills in Border States Postponed Citing ‘Administrative Reasons’

New Delhi : The much-anticipated Operation Shield, a large-scale civil defence mock drill scheduled for Thursday across several Indian border states and Union Territories, has been officially postponed in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The decision, attributed to “administrative reasons,” comes at a time of heightened alertness along India’s borders, particularly with Pakistan.

The drills were designed to simulate emergency responses to aerial threats, including drone attacks and air raids, to test civilian preparedness and coordination among law enforcement and disaster response agencies. The exercises were expected to involve temporary blackouts, public warning systems, and mock evacuations near critical infrastructure, particularly in border districts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had initially directed all border states to conduct the exercise under Operation Shield as part of a broader initiative to boost internal security mechanisms in light of recent cross-border threats. However, on Wednesday evening, state administrations in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Chandigarh confirmed the postponement of the drill. Haryana, on the other hand, went ahead with the operation as planned, conducting the mock exercise in all 22 districts between 5 PM and 9 PM.

In Haryana, the drills included coordinated blackout simulations, emergency sirens, and drone threat response protocols. The state’s disaster management department noted that participation from both civil and police authorities was extensive, and citizen cooperation remained high. A 15-minute controlled blackout was executed in selected regions near high-risk infrastructure to test resilience protocols, excluding essential services like hospitals and emergency call centres.

The postponements in other states have raised questions about preparedness and coordination. While the official reason remains administrative, analysts point to broader strategic concerns following India’s recent covert actions such as Operation Sindoor on May 7, which reportedly targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These developments have led to increased military activity and surveillance along both the western and eastern fronts.

Officials have not provided a new date for the postponed drills, but sources indicate they may be rescheduled in early June, possibly after additional security reviews and coordination with central intelligence agencies.