In a move aimed at assessing emergency response in states bordering Pakistan, authorities carried out a second phase drill, codenamed Operation Shield on Saturday.
The drill began at 5 p.m. across key border regions in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
It was the follow-up to a similar exercise on May 7 that took place hours before the launch of Operation Sindoor.
The May 7 drill had “exposed critical gaps in readiness,” prompting the need for a more robust rehearsal under Operation Shield, said a government release issued Thursday.
The latest phase involved civil defence wardens, local volunteers, and members of youth groups such as the NCC, NSS, NYKS, and the Bharat Scouts & Guides.
Several coordinated activities marked the exercise. Authorities tested air raid sirens and enforced a planned blackout in civilian areas, with exceptions made for emergency services.
Hotlines between Air Force and civil defence control rooms were activated.
Residents in participating districts were advised to stay indoors, follow official instructions, and avoid panic during siren activation and power cuts.
Authorities also tested blood donation mobilisation protocols to prepare for potential medical emergencies. The exercise further incorporated simulated military operations in which Border Wing Home Guards were de-inducted and redeployed alongside Indian Army units.
State disaster response teams, police forces, fire services, and medical teams were integrated into the drills.
The operation had been slated for Thursday but was deferred due to unspecified administrative reasons.
On Friday, drills were held in Maharashtra as well. Thane Police conducted an anti-terror mock drill at Kopineshwar Temple.
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, has heightened the stakes for security agencies operating in volatile regions.