SRINAGAR: India is set to conduct war-like mock drills today in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as well as in the Indian states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh — all of which share borders with Pakistan.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the exercises will be carried out in all districts of IIOJK and the Indian states adjoining Pakistan. Officials from the Civil Defence Directorate stated that sirens will be activated at multiple locations across IIOJK, simulating emergency alerts.
The so-called security drills will resemble actual wartime operations. The public has been urged not to panic and to consider the sirens part of a routine safety drill aimed at testing operational readiness.
Officials further stated that the exercises would include the activation of centrally-controlled air raid sirens, implementation of blackout protocols in civilian areas, and mock evacuation of families from military stations in the event of a drone strike.
Earlier, on May 7, similar drills were conducted in 244 districts across Indian border states and union territories. Like the previous round, the current exercises aim to activate air raid warning systems, train civilians and students in civil defence protocols, test blackout procedures, camouflage critical infrastructure, and rehearse evacuation plans.
Observers in IIOJK have expressed serious concern over India’s military activities, warning that these actions are intended to escalate tensions in the territory. They believe the drills are being used as a distraction to cover up India’s setbacks and losses following Pakistan’s defensive response to the Indian airstrike on May 10.
