On May 7, 2025, India conducted a massive nationwide civil defence exercise titled Operation Abhyaas. This was the country’s most extensive emergency preparedness mock drill since the Indo-Pak war of 1971, reflecting heightened national security concerns in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.
🌐 Objective of Operation Abhyaas
The primary aim of Operation Abhyaas was to test and enhance civilian preparedness and emergency response mechanisms across the country. In light of escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), spearheaded the mock drill to simulate wartime scenarios and improve coordination between civil defence, emergency services, and the general public.
🗺️ Scale and Locations
The operation was executed across 244 districts in India, involving thousands of personnel and volunteers. Here are key details from major regions:
🏙️ Delhi
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Conducted in all 11 districts at 55 locations.
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60 air raid sirens were activated at 4:00 PM to initiate the exercise.
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Involved police, fire, rescue teams, civil defence volunteers, and emergency responders.
🏰 Hyderabad
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Executed between 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM within Outer Ring Road limits.
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Covered areas like Secunderabad, Golconda Fort, Nacharam, and Kanchan Bagh.
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All 12 civil defence services participated including police, fire, medical, and municipal teams.
🌴 Kerala
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Carried out in all 14 districts.
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Citizens were urged to cooperate and treat the exercise as a real-time preparedness mission.
🏞️ Maharashtra
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Conducted in 16 cities including Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
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Drill extended to village levels.
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Involved Home Guards, NCC, NSS, NYKS, and school and college students.
🕌 Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
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Featured a 10-minute blackout simulating air raid conditions.
📍 Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack
On April 22, 2025, terrorists attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir), killing 26 civilians and injuring 17 others. The attackers, wearing army-like uniforms, used military-grade weapons to target mostly Hindu tourists, while reportedly sparing Muslims.
The terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility but later retracted. The Indian government accused Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, triggering a series of retaliatory measures:
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Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
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Expulsion of Pakistani diplomats.
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Closure of Indian airspace and borders.
Pakistan responded by:
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Suspending the Simla Agreement.
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Halting trade with India.
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Banning Indian airlines from its airspace.
Skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and missile tests by both sides followed, prompting a heightened state of alert within India.
🚨 Importance of Operation Abhyaas
Operation Abhyaas showcased India's commitment to civilian safety, national security, and readiness for emergency situations. By involving multiple levels of government, local authorities, and the general public, the mock drill:
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Tested real-time response systems.
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Trained civilians to react during hostile threats.
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Strengthened inter-agency coordination.
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Reinforced the importance of public awareness and cooperation.
