Punjab to Conduct Mock Drill Under ‘Operation Shield’ in Border Districts on May 31

• May 30, 2025

Chandigarh, May 30 — Punjab will conduct a state-wide mock drill in its border districts on May 31 as part of “Operation Shield”, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The announcement was made today by Special DGP Sanjeev Kalra, who also serves as Commandant General of the Punjab Home Guards.

The drill aims to assess and improve emergency response preparedness, particularly during scenarios such as air raids. It will focus on testing civil defence protocols and coordination among multiple agencies.

The exercise was initially scheduled for May 30 but was postponed after the state cited the need for additional training for civil defence personnel.

According to sources, this upcoming mock drill is especially significant in light of the shortcomings observed during a previous exercise conducted on May 7. Officials noted serious gaps in emergency preparedness, including:

• Inadequate training of civil defence volunteers

• Malfunctioning sirens in certain locations

• Non-operational emergency hotlines

• Gaps in coordination and response timing

“This drill is a crucial opportunity to rectify those deficiencies and enhance readiness across all border districts,” 

The state government has emphasized full participation and cooperation from all relevant departments to ensure the effectiveness of the operation.