The Indian government has directed public officials to perform civil defense drills in large parts of the nation this Wednesday, as the country gears up for potential military confrontation with its neighbor and longtime adversary, Pakistan.
Ever since April 22nd when armed assailants caused the deaths of 26 people in the part of the Kashmir region under Indian jurisdiction – a region both nations claim – tensions have been escalating. India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the terror attack, a claim disputed by Pakistan.
India has been arguing for military strikes against what it refers to as terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. Pakistan, on its end, has sworn to respond in equal measure to any military moves by India.
There have been recent incidents of small-arm fire exchanges alongside the countries’ shared border, alongside increased activity seen in New Delhi which suggests a possible imminent Indian military strike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held multiple meetings with his military leaders while his officials have openly discussed taking measures against Pakistan.
The Indian home ministry issued a directive on Monday to every state and territory. It calls for the carrying out of drills to gauge the level of preparedness among the public for conflict. The implementation of these drills is compulsory for all villages in the 244 “civil defense districts” which are either located near the border or coastal areas or determined as other potentially vulnerable regions.
The letter signed by the ministry and reviewed by The New York Times, advised that these drills should include the testing of air raid sirens and providing instructions to civilians on coping with blackouts and executing evacuations.
Similar drills have been conducted near the border recently, especially in Kashmir where schoolchildren have been taught duck-and-cover tactics and people have been seen cleaning bunkers designed for use during airstrikes.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/world/asia/india-pakistan-kashmir-drills.html
