In response to the latest terror strike on pilgrims in Pahalgam, the Central Government has issued countrywide Civil Defence mock drills to test the preparedness of local governments to handle mass emergencies, more so terror-related emergencies. Punjab and Chandigarh, which are strategically and demographically sensitive, have been chosen for large-scale mock operations planned on May 7, 2025.
Official reports indicate that 20 Civil Defence zones of Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh will be taking part in these exercises, which will comprise simulations of blackouts, mass evacuation, terror response drills, and tests of public communication.
The decision to conduct these drills comes immediately on the back of the Pahalgam attack, marking the Centre’s resolve to bolster civilian readiness against unexpected terror attacks and internal unrest. The Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated these drills to see inter-agency coordination, prompt deployment of emergency responders, and public cooperation measures in place.
Blackout to Simulate Wartime Response
One of the most important elements of the May 7 exercise will be blackouts in chosen areas—brief power outages, streetlight extinguishments, and visual concealment of public areas—resembling conditions following a nighttime terror attack or aerial threat. The blackout drills are meant to gauge how rapidly local authorities can react under impaired visibility and diminished communications infrastructure.
Citizens in the affected areas can see sirens, sudden darkness, and evacuation notices. Authorities have issued warnings asking people not to panic and to consider the drills as mock exercises for emergency preparedness.
Drill Locations in Punjab and Chandigarh
The 20 Civil Defence zones in Punjab where drills will be held are:
1. Amritsar
2. Bathinda
3. Ferozepur
4. Gurdaspur
5. Hoshiarpur
6. Jalandhar
7. Ludhiana
8. Patiala
9. Pathankot
10. Adampur (IAF Base)
11. Barnala
12. Bhakra-Nangal (Hydro Project)
13. Halwara (Air Base)
14. Kothkapura
15. Batala
16. S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali)
17. Abohar
18. Faridpur (handwritten addition in official file)
19. Rupnagar (Ropar)
20. Sangrur
Chandigarh, being a Category-II Civil Defence zone, will also be involved, with coordinated efforts including the local administration, police, and emergency services.
Post-Pahalgam Preparedness: High Alert in Strategic Zones
Punjab’s involvement is based on its strategic vulnerability. Multiple drill areas have military bases (Adampur, Halwara), border areas (Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur), and sensitive infrastructure (Bhakra-Nangal hydroelectric complex). Having experienced militancy and cross-border attacks, the state finds itself once more in the limelight for emergency preparedness.
Officers reveal that following the Pahalgam attack, drills will mimic:
Coordinated terror attacks and response
Blackout and communication failure scenarios
Evacuation from schools, transport centers, and markets
Quick triage and hospital preparedness
Employment of fire brigades, NDRF units, and civil volunteers
Special emphasis will be placed on inter-agency coordination, public alert systems, and the mobilization of Civil Defence volunteers.
Public Involvement and Instructions
District authorities have published advisories in media and local websites, which alert citizens about possible sirens, simulated fires, loudspeakers, and public address drill exercises. Education institution volunteers as well as RWAs are being organized for participating in these drill exercises. Time-bound mock blackouts will also be closely regulated.
The Centre’s decision to commence such large-scale drills within a week of the Pahalgam incident carries a clear message: preparedness is not an option. The government is clearly committed to examining not only the uniformed machinery’s capacity but also the whole civilian response eco-system—from the power utilities to the medical units and from the school administrations to the police wireless coordination.
May 7 mock drills will be a test of Punjab and Chandigarh, ascertaining the speed at which peace-time administration can switch gears to war-time reaction, particularly in an area that borders one of the most unstable frontiers of the country.