Punjab and Haryana to hold blackout and emergency drills on May 31

Punjab and Haryana will conduct large-scale mock security drills on May 31 as part of the nationwide “Operation Shield,” aimed at testing emergency preparedness in case of airstrikes or large-scale attacks. The drill will include sirens, blackouts, rescue simulations, and active involvement of both civil and military teams.

Punjab’s Special DGP Sanjeev Kalra said the drill will begin at 6 PM and be conducted across all districts bordering the western frontier. Sirens will be sounded to simulate air raid conditions, and blackout measures will follow to prepare citizens and local authorities for potential wartime emergencies. Fire services, rescue units, and armed forces will also participate.

In Haryana, the drill will commence at 5 PM, with 32,000 trained volunteers expected to participate across the state. Joint Secretary Sunita Mishra emphasized that the exercise would follow Home Ministry guidelines and help prepare for any future contingencies. Volunteers are being briefed to handle simulated rescue and communication operations.

While Rajasthan and Gujarat had earlier planned similar exercises, both have postponed their drills due to administrative reasons. Chandigarh’s drill has also been delayed. Operation Shield drills are part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen civil defence following recent tensions and incidents like Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist hideouts in PoJK.