India has postponed civil defence mock drills that were scheduled for Thursday in several border states adjacent to Pakistan, citing administrative reasons, according to Indian media reports.
The exercises, part of “Operation Shield,” had been announced just weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following a brief but intense military confrontation.
Originally planned to take place in Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the drills were aimed at simulating emergency wartime scenarios such as air raids and drone attacks. They were initiated under the direction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in response to heightened national security concerns.
Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Haryana Home Department, said the exercises were intended to evaluate existing emergency protocols, enhance coordination among civil authorities, military units, and local communities, and identify areas needing improvement for effective crisis response.
A similar statewide drill was held on May 7, shortly after Indian airstrikes targeted locations inside Pakistan. Those strikes reportedly hit civilian areas, including mosques, and claimed the lives of 26 Pakistani civilians.
The recent flare-up between the nuclear-armed neighbors ended on May 10, following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump. The conflict escalated after India launched missile and drone attacks on Pakistani civilian and military targets. Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes under “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” downing six Indian fighter jets—including three Rafales—and dozens of drones.
According to Pakistan’s military spokesperson (ISPR), 53 individuals were martyred in Indian strikes during the confrontation, including 13 military personnel and 40 civilians.
The latest round of hostilities was sparked by an attack in IIOJK last month, in which 26 tourists were killed. India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it has yet to present any evidence to support the claim.
While the postponement of the civil defence drills has been officially attributed to administrative reasons, it comes against the backdrop of lingering tensions and regional sensitivities following the recent military escalation.
