Ahmedabad: As per the directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, a civil defence mock drill codenamed “Operation Shield” is being conducted today in the border states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu. These states have been selected as they share borders with Pakistan, a hostile neighbour. In Gujarat, the mock drill and blackout exercise are being carried out across 18 districts.

The aim of these exercises is to assess and strengthen emergency response systems in the event of war-like scenarios or natural disasters. Sirens will be sounded at various locations between 5 PM and 8 PM, after which partial or complete blackouts will be implemented in select areas around the drill sites. The drill was originally scheduled for May 29 but had to be postponed and is now being conducted today.

In Gujarat, the blackout timings vary district-wise. Patan and Navsari will undergo blackouts from 8:00 to 8:30 PM. Vadodara and Gandhinagar will observe blackouts from 7:30 to 7:45 PM. Surat, Jamnagar, Kheda, Tapi, Mahisagar, Kutch, Valsad, Amreli, Surendranagar, and Godhra (Panchmahal) will experience blackouts between 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Rajkot’s blackout is scheduled from 8:30 to 8:45 PM, while Dahod and Ahmedabad will have blackouts from 8:00 to 8:15 PM and 7:45 to 8:15 PM respectively. In Banaskantha, the blackout will also take place from 7:45 to 8:15 PM, whereas Junagadh will have the longest duration, from 8:30 to 9:00 PM.

In the border district of Banaskantha in north Gujarat, the civil defence drill is taking place at Nadabet, a critical border location, starting at 5 PM. A full blackout will be enforced across all villages in the Vav-Suigam taluka between 7:45 PM and 8:15 PM. In Ahmedabad, the drill will be carried out at the Shahibaug Cantonment, while in Viramgam, the police lines will host the exercise. Both locations will begin drill activities at 5 PM, simulating six types of emergency scenarios, followed by a blackout from 7:45 PM onwards.

A similar nationwide drill was held earlier on May 7, during which several preparedness gaps were identified. In response, the government invoked emergency powers and sanctioned financial assistance through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to improve civil defence mechanisms.

The second phase of the exercise will include:

• Recall of civil defence volunteers and local youth groups (NCC, NSS, NYKS, Scouts & Guides).

• Simulated air raids involving aircraft, drones, and missiles.

• Hotline activation between the Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms.

• Full blackout in civilian vulnerable zones (excluding essential services).

• Drone attack simulation on a military station, followed by a mock evacuation.

• Simulation of mass casualty response, including mobilizing medical teams and 30 blood units.

• Army-coordinated deployment of Border Wing Home Guards and mobilization of forces under the Rear Area Security Plan. DeshGujarat