Operation Sindoor and Civil Defence Preparedness in India

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Operation Sindoor was a codename used by the Indian Armed Forces for a coordinated military operation in early May 2025. In this operation, India launched a series of strikes against terrorist targets across the Line of Control (LOC) and into Pakistan. The strikes were described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aiming at sites believed to house militants from groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India said it hit nine terror infrastructure sites, including in Pakistani Punjab and in the territory India calls Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Pakistan’s media reported civilian casualties, including children, highlighting the tension of this operation.

What is Operation Sindoor?

It was the codename for India’s military response following a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April 2025. On May 6–7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces struck multiple targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir under the label Operation Sindoor. The aim was to dismantle suspected terrorist camps and support infrastructure. According to official statements, the operation targeted camps linked to terrorist groups rather than Pakistan’s regular military bases.

Operation Sindoor involved Indian fighter jets equipped with precision missiles. The Indian Air Force used Rafale fighters armed with long-range SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer guided bombs in a roughly 23-minute mission that started very early in the morning. These jets flew near the LOC and hit places like Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (the region India often refers to as Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir) and even reached as far as Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The Indian government described the strikes as limited to “terrorist infrastructure,” while Pakistani authorities reported damage in civilian areas, including a mosque in Muzaffarabad.

Operation Sindoor – Government and Army Briefing Summary

• India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
• 9 terrorist infrastructure sites linked to banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen were precisely struck.
• The Indian government clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted—only non-state terror elements.
• Operation Sindoor was a retaliatory strike for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 Indian civilians (mostly tourists) were brutally killed.
• The attackers in Pahalgam were identified as Pakistan-based terrorists. Victims were killed in front of family members to instill fear and disrupt peace.
• The government accused Pakistan of having a well-documented record as a haven for terrorism.

Operation Sindoor Areas Targeted

A key aspect of Operation Sindoor was its geographical focus. The attacks specifically hit locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which is the part of the former Jammu & Kashmir state that has been under Pakistani control since 1947. India officially calls this area Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). By hitting targets in Muzaffarabad and Kotli (in PoJK) as well as Bahawalpur, Pakistan, the operation spanned both across the Line of Control and into Pakistani territory. This shows that the Indian Army (backed by the Air Force) was willing to strike deep into areas long held by Pakistan.

What is a Civil Defence Mock Drill?

It is a large-scale simulation of an emergency scenario involving civilians and authorities. The goal is to practice and test responses to crises like war attacks, natural disasters, or terrorist incidents. A civil defence mock drill is “a simulated emergency exercise designed to prepare civilians and authorities for potential threats such as war, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other hostile situations”. In other words, people practice what to do if danger strikes – running evacuations, sounding alarms, using shelters, and coordinating with emergency services, all in a controlled setting.

Purposes and Activities of Civil Defence Mock Drills

• Raise Public Awareness
  • Teach civilians how to stay safe during emergencies.
  • Include steps like evacuating buildings and locating shelters.
• Test and Improve Government Systems
  • Check communication lines, control rooms, sirens, and protocols.
  • Run air-raid warning siren tests and evacuation rehearsals.
  • Inspect and clear bunkers and trenches to ensure shelter readiness.
  • Conduct crash-blackout drills to practice lights-out procedures.
  • Camouflage critical infrastructure like power stations and airports.
• Provide Hands-On Training
  • Train volunteers and local personnel in first aid and firefighting.
  • Practice communication protocols, including radio and phone operations.
• Strengthen Coordination
  • Coordinate efforts with the armed forces, police, and emergency services.
  • Use drills to test real-time emergency communication networks.
• Engage a Wide Population
  • Involve students, youth groups, home guards, and volunteers.
  • Ensure people from all sections of society know how to respond under pressure.
• Minimize Confusion During Real Threats
  • Rehearse actions to reduce panic and disorder.
  • Aim to protect lives through preparedness and organized response.

Official Civil Defence Mock Drill Video link.

Civil Defence Mock Drill Across Districts and Preparedness

In India’s 2025 drill, the government conducted a truly nationwide exercise. On May 7, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered a civil defence drill in 244 districts across the country. These included districts in every state and union territory, from Srinagar in the north to Lakshadweep in the south. It was reported as “a nationwide civil defence mock drill across 244 districts” initiated right after the Pahalgam attack.

Civil Defence Mock Drill Participating Agencies

Various agencies will participate in these simulated exercises, which could include:

• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)
• District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs)
• Volunteers and groups of Civil Defence
• Firefighting and rescue services
• Police forces
• Departments of health and hospitals
• Transportation departments
• Local administrations and municipalites
• Even the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on coordination and assessment

District authorities led most activities. Civil defence wardens, home guards, fire services, and volunteers played active roles. Schools and colleges conducted mock drills so students knew what to do. National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, NSS volunteers, and members of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) were mobilized to assist. The Home Secretary personally reviewed preparations via video conference with chief secretaries and civil defence heads of the states.

Key actions during the drills included:

• Air-raid siren tests: Sirens sounded in various towns to simulate an aerial attack warning.
• Controlled blackouts: Some areas practiced sudden lights-out scenarios (“crash-blackout”), turning off electricity to simulate hiding from enemy planes.
• Evacuation rehearsals: People gathered in public places or schools and moved to safe spots, following announced alerts.
• Shelter checks: Authorities cleaned and prepared underground bunkers, trenches, and shelters to ensure they were ready for use.
• Camouflage drills: Local officials practiced covering or disguising critical infrastructure (like power stations or airports) so they would be harder to spot from the air.
• Training sessions: First aid, firefighting, and communication drills were held. Volunteers and cadets learned how to handle casualties and coordinate with police and the military.
• Communication tests: Emergency hotlines and radio networks were tested between districts and with the Air Force to ensure messages could go through.

These activities were carried out “down to the village level,” meaning even remote communities joined in. The participation of non-government groups (like scouts and volunteers) emphasized that civil defence is not just a government task, but a community effort.

Also Read: Constitutional bodies in India

Civil Defence Mock Drill District List

Full list 244 Indian districts which will conduct civil defence mock drill today:

Also Read: International Organisations

Civil Defence Preparedness Mock Drill History

This 2025 exercise was reported as the first civil defence drill of its scale since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Under the old Civil Defence Rules, 1968, such exercises can be called by the Home Ministry when needed. Officials stressed this was all about saving lives and strengthening preparedness. It was also described as a clear message of deterrence: India was demonstrating that “this drill is about saving lives,” but also signaling it was ready for any challenge.

Operation Sindoor was a focused military operation targeting terror infrastructure in PoJK and Pakistan. It showed India’s willingness to take strategic action against cross-border threats. At the same time, India demonstrated internal readiness through the Civil Defence Mock Drill across districts.

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Together, these events underline a dual strategy: deterrence through force and resilience through training. By combining offensive operations like Operation Sindoor with broad civil readiness in civil defence mock drill districts, India strengthens both its borders and its public safety systems.

Operation Sindoor FAQs

What is Operation Sindoor by the Indian Army?

Operation Sindoor is the codename for a military operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces in May 2025, targeting terrorist camps across the Line of Control (LOC), including areas in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation aimed to eliminate infrastructure linked to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in a focused, non-escalatory strike.

Why did India launch Operation Sindoor?

India launched Operation Sindoor as a retaliatory response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation was aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure in PoJK and Pakistani Punjab believed to be responsible for the attacks.

What is a Civil Defence Mock Drill in India?

A Civil Defence Mock Drill is a simulated emergency exercise designed to prepare civilians and authorities for disasters such as war, terrorist attacks, or natural calamities. These drills involve sirens, evacuations, blackout procedures, shelter checks, and coordination with emergency services to improve national preparedness.

How many districts participated in the 2025 Civil Defence Mock Drill in India?

In May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs organized a nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill across 244 districts in India, including regions in every state and union territory, to strengthen emergency readiness and civil coordination in response to high-threat scenarios.

How is Operation Sindoor connected to Civil Defence Drills in India?

Following Operation Sindoor, India emphasized national emergency preparedness by conducting Civil Defence Mock Drills in 244 districts. These drills aimed to test how well civilians and local authorities could respond to potential retaliatory threats, ensuring the nation’s civil infrastructure was ready for emergencies.