India will conduct mock civil defence drills on Wednesday, government officials said, as fears rise of a regional conflict following an attack in contested Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on arch-rival Pakistan.
Advertisement
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked several states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence”, Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser from the information ministry, said in a statement.
Gupta said this would involve rehearsing an “evacuation plan” and the “training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack”.
Drills will also test air raid warning sirens, prepare for blackouts, and ready vital installations for camouflage.
New Delhi blames Pakistan for an attack on civilians at the tourist site of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, sparking a series of heated threats and diplomatic tit-for-tat measures.
01:41
At least 26 killed in ‘heinous’ attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir
At least 26 killed in ‘heinous’ attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir
Pakistan rejects the accusations, and has repeatedly made clear it will respond with force to any aggression by India.
Advertisement