punjab-haryana-gears-up-for-operation-shield-on-saturday

The states of Punjab and Haryana are set to conduct coordinated mock drills on Saturday as part of the nationwide emergency preparedness initiative, ‘Operation Shield’, officials confirmed on Friday.

 

The mock drills, scheduled to begin at 6 pm, aim to test the responsiveness of district administrations, emergency services, and citizens in the event of large-scale attacks or natural disasters. Key components of the drills will include sounding sirens, imposing blackouts, and executing rescue and firefighting operations.

 

Punjab's Special Director General of Police, Sanjeev Kalra, stated that the exercises will be conducted across all districts, with a special focus on border areas. “The mock drill is a part of Operation Shield and is being conducted in all districts of the bordering states on the Western border. The mock drill will be conducted by 6 pm tomorrow,” Kalra said.

 

Preparatory meetings have already been held with district-level authorities to ensure smooth coordination. “Blackout measures, rescue measures, fire services are a part of the mock drill...The representatives of the armed forces will also be involved in it,” Kalra said.

 

The authorities have urged the public not to panic during the drills and to cooperate with local officials as part of the preparedness initiative.
In neighbouring Haryana, preparations are underway for a mock drill set to commence at 5 pm on Saturday, following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

 

Haryana Joint Secretary, Sumita Mishra, confirmed that the exercise will be conducted across the entire state, involving a large number of volunteers to enhance emergency preparedness. “The mock drill will take place throughout Haryana on May 31. We are adhering to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines to ensure thorough readiness for any future contingencies,” she stated.

 

Mishra added that 32,000 volunteers have been trained and briefed to actively participate in the exercise. “These volunteers will assist in various activities scheduled after 5 pm,” she said.

 

Earlier, a civil defence mock drill planned for May 29 was postponed due to administrative reasons.