Civil defence forces in action as J&K conducts mega mock drill

As part of the nationwide civil defence exercise “Operation Shield,” a large-scale mock drill was conducted across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Officials said the drill was carried out on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to assess and enhance emergency preparedness throughout the Union Territory.

In Srinagar, a comprehensive mock drill was held at the Amar Niwas Complex to evaluate the civil defence and emergency response systems in the district. The exercise aimed at identifying critical gaps, boosting preparedness and ensuring the safety of vital installations and residents.

The drill was conducted in the presence of Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, who also serves as Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority.

According to government statement, personnel from various civil defence services participated in the exercise, which was designed to simulate hostile scenarios such as air raid sirens, blackout protocols and emergency response operations.

“‘Operation Shield’ is intended to simulate real-time scenarios, including potential external threats and other crisis situations, to test the preparedness of civil authorities, emergency services, and the local population,” officials said.

They added that the drill was also focused on strengthening civil defence mechanisms, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring public safety. The exercise is expected to significantly improve inter-agency coordination, public awareness, and the administration’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, whether man-made or natural.

As part of the drill, a blackout was also conducted in various areas to test response protocols.

Similar mock drills were carried out in other parts of the Valley. In Pulwama, a coordinated civil defence exercise was conducted in collaboration with the J&K Police and other agencies to assess disaster readiness. In the border district of Baramulla, a joint drill was organised by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence, and Baramulla Police.

The Baramulla administration reported that the Fire and Emergency Services department conducted a major mock drill at the Degree College ground to enhance disaster preparedness and inter-agency coordination. Mock drills were also conducted in various parts of the Jammu region as part of the comprehensive exercise.