GET SET FOR DRILL...

Close to 300 'civil defence districts' with sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams will be covered by mock drills on air-raid warning sirens, civilian training for a "hostile attack" and cleaning of bunkers and trenches, as per news agencies.

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How to conduct the mock exercise with active public participation of people was discussed threadbare at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. Top civil and police officers of the country participated in the meeting, official sources said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all states to conduct the mock drills due to the “new and complex threats” that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Since 1971 this is the first time the Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to conduct a nationwide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday, May 7, to boost preparedness against a “hostile attack.” The directive comes in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed, and amid continued cross-border firing by Pakistan.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON MAY 7?

As per Union Home Ministry notification...

• The drill will assess how effective air raid sirens are in alerting people about aerial threats.

• It aims to train civilians to respond quickly and safely in case of an air strike.