Mock Drill in Shimla on May 7 Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan

Shimla, May 6: In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated. As a part of nationwide preparedness, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states to conduct mock drills on May 7 to ensure readiness for any emergency scenario.

A large-scale civil defense mock drill will be conducted across 244 identified sensitive districts in the country, including Himachal Pradesh’s capital, Shimla. The drill in Shimla is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Sharma stated that the primary objective of the exercise is to prepare citizens for wartime emergencies, particularly air raids or other hostile attacks. The drill will focus on educating the public about safety measures, evacuation protocols, and emergency response procedures.

The Himachal Pradesh government has requested the Home Ministry to extend the mock drills to all 12 districts in the state, noting that several areas are sensitive—particularly Chamba, which shares a border with Jammu & Kashmir.