Haryana is set to carry out a large-scale civil defence mock drill today, May 31, across all 22 districts from 5 PM to 9 PM, under Operation Shield. A 15-minute controlled blackout will be observed at 8 PM near key installations such as government buildings and infrastructure hubs. Emergency services like hospitals, fire stations, and police stations will remain unaffected. This state-level simulation exercise, overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aims to test the preparedness of civil agencies in case of air raids, drone attacks, and similar emergency scenarios.

The exercise is part of a broader strategy to enhance coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and community networks. Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Sumita Misra, stated that the drill will help identify gaps in the current emergency response framework and ensure a faster and more efficient reaction during real crises. The drill will also include the activation of air raid sirens and testing of communication hotlines with the Indian Air Force. The Incident Response System (IRS), which was formally notified by the state on January 28, 2025, under the Disaster Management Act, will guide the operations.

Over 32,000 civil defence volunteers will participate in the drill, alongside personnel from NSS, NCC, Home Guards, and NYKS. Deputy Commissioners and Police Commissioners have been directed to ensure seamless execution of the plan and submit detailed Action Taken Reports post-drill for state-level evaluation. Citizens have been advised not to panic during the operation, which is purely a preparedness measure in view of current national security considerations. The drill, originally scheduled for May 29, was postponed on MHA’s advice and rescheduled for today.