Operation Shield: In a bid to bolster national security preparedness, the central government will conduct a series of civil defence mock drills under Operation Shield across several border states and Union Territories on Saturday, May 31.

The drills, set to begin at 5:00 pm, will be carried out in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Chandigarh — all of which share borders with Pakistan. The focus will be on vulnerable regions close to the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), considered most susceptible to cross-border threats.

Originally scheduled for May 29, the exercise was postponed due to administrative reasons. A government press release issued on the same day confirmed the revised date and reiterated the significance of the drill, particularly in light of gaps identified during a similar nationwide civil defence exercise held on May 7.

Also Read:Civil defence mock drills under ‘Operation Shield’ rescheduled for May 31 across Indo-Pak border states  

What is Operation Shield?

Operation Shield is a national-level civil defence initiative aimed at enhancing India’s ability to respond swiftly to aerial threats and other emergencies. The drills are designed to test real-time coordination between central and state agencies, the armed forces, and civil volunteers in high-stress scenarios.

With growing tensions along the border and the risk of unconventional attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs will be closely monitoring the execution and outcomes of the exercise to assess any vulnerabilities in the current response framework.

Also Read:Pahalgam Terror Attack Aftermath: Several Indian states likely to conduct mock self-defence drill on May 7  

What to expect during mock drill?

Operation Shield will simulate hostile situations that include the sounding of air raid sirens, enforcement of blackout protocols, and emergency services being called to duty under various emergency drills undertaken to assess the preparedness of local population and response agencies in working under pressure. 

Chiefly endangered civil areas in Punjab will be kept under full blackouts, except for critical services, like hospitals and emergency units, according to officials. The sirens are to alert the population while mock response measures take place to coordinate and test the levels of readiness.

The May 7 drill had revealed some operational shortcomings, and in the aftermath, special follow-up exercises are being conducted in very sensitive zones. 

Officials feel that this would be a significant step in improving the country's civil defence capabilities, making inter-agency coordination more effective, and helping border communities to be better prepared in times of emergencies, be it man-made or natural.