'Air raid sirens, civilian training': India orders civil defence drills on May 7 as tensions with Pakistan rise: Govt sources
India news: Last week, Prime Minister Modi told a high-level security meeting that the armed forces had been given “full operational freedom” to decide how and when to respond.
Amid growing tensions with Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed several Indian states to begin emergency preparedness drills, according to official sources.
These mock drills are meant to strengthen civil defence capabilities and ensure quick responses in case of any hostile action and will be conducted on Wednesday (May 07). As per the MHA's plan, key steps will include:
- Operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens
- Training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
- Provision of crash blackout measures
- Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations
- Updation of evacuation plan & its rehearsal
This comes in light of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians and has been linked to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups.
India and Pakistan escalate diplomatic and military responses
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Since the Pahalgam attack, relations between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated. Both countries have taken tit-for-tat measures, including:
- Withdrawing diplomats
- Closing ports and airspace access
- Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty
Tensions at the Line of Control (LoC) have also risen, with India accusing Pakistan of violating ceasefire rules by firing small arms for ten straight nights.
Salal Dam gates shut, water levels drop in J&K
In a related move, all gates of the Salal Dam on the Chenab River were closed on Monday. This has reportedly led to a drop in water levels across parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials told ANI.
PM Modi and Rajnath Singh vow strong retaliation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, "It is my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack India." He assured that those behind the Pahalgam killings would be held accountable and that action under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership would meet public expectations.
Also read: ‘What you all desire will happen,’ assures defence minister Rajnath Singh on Pahalgam retaliation
Last week, Prime Minister Modi told a high-level security meeting that the armed forces had been given “full operational freedom” to decide how and when to respond.
