Operation Shield: Punjab gears up for statewide mock drill, blackout on May 31 to enhance wartime readiness
This civil defence initiative is being carried out across border states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat
Jasleen Kaur
May 30th 2025 05:24 PM --
Updated:
May 30th 2025 07:00 PM
Punjab mock drill and blackout: In a large-scale civil defence initiative aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness in border regions, Punjab will conduct a coordinated mock drill and blackout exercise on May 31. The drill, titled 'Operation Shield', will be carried out in multiple border districts including Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur, aligning with the Central Government’s directive to enhance civilian readiness in potential conflict scenarios.
Jalandhar: Controlled blackout from 9.30 pm to 10 pm
Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar Dr Himanshu Aggarwal has announced that a controlled blackout will be held across the district between 9. 30 pm and 10pm. As part of the drill, sirens will be sounded prior to the blackout, and all non-emergency lighting will be turned off, including streetlights managed by the Municipal Corporation.
Residents have been urged not to use inverters or generators during the blackout period. Dr Aggarwal stressed that exterior lighting of homes should remain off, and people should avoid unnecessary outdoor movement. In case of any issues during the drill, citizens may contact the district control room at 0181-2224417.
Dr Aggarwal assured residents that this is merely a precautionary exercise and there is no cause for alarm. “This blackout is part of a preparedness measure for handling emergency situations. The public’s cooperation is vital,” he stated.
He also advised against non-essential travel during the blackout and requested those who must travel to park their vehicles safely on the roadside with lights switched off.
A mock drill will also be conducted at 6 pm on May 31 near Jawahar Park, Jalandhar Cantonment, under the supervision of the Cantt Board office. This drill will test the availability of essential services such as food, healthcare, and emergency response mechanisms. Agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, BSF, and the Indian Army will participate, ensuring full-scale coordination of emergency protocols.
Amritsar: Operation Shield Drill and Blackout from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
In Amritsar, the mock drill will take place at Ranjit Avenue’s Dussehra Ground from 6pm to 7 pm, followed by a citywide blackout from 8 pm to 8.30 pm. The exercise is also a part of ‘Operation Shield’, with additional Deputy Commissioner Major Amit Sareen briefing the media on its significance.
Residents have been requested to turn off all lights, including those powered by inverters or battery backups, and remain inside rooms with minimal window exposure. “There is no reason to panic. This is a routine preparedness exercise to train our systems and citizens,” Major Sareen reassured.
Originally scheduled for May 29, the drill was rescheduled to May 31 to allow for broader coordination across bordering states and union territories.
Hoshiarpur: Blackout scheduled between 8 pm and 8.15 pm
Hoshiarpur will also observe the mock drill under the national directive. According to local administration, sirens will sound at 7:58 PM, followed by a 15-minute blackout from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM.
This drill, like others in the state, is being conducted to ensure both administrative and civilian readiness in the event of wartime or emergency situations. The authorities have reiterated the importance of full public cooperation, adherence to instructions, and avoidance of unnecessary panic.
Across Gurdaspur district from 8 pm to 8.30 pm
A district-wide mock blackout will be conducted in Gurdaspur on May 31 from 8 pm to 8.30 pm. The DC said the blackout was part of a routine civil defense preparedness exercise.
Prior to the blackout, a mock emergency response drill will be held at Gurdaspur bus stand at 6 pm, involving various administrative teams along with personnel from Punjab Home Guards, Civil Defence Volunteers, NCC Cadets, Health Department, Fire Brigade, and police.
At 8 pm, sirens will be sounded across different towns in the district to signal the start of the blackout. From 8 pm to 8.30 pm, a complete blackout will be observed in both urban and rural areas, with residents participating as volunteers.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that the drill is purely a pre-planned safety exercise. Citizens have been urged not to panic or spread rumours. Instead, they are encouraged to cooperate peacefully and contribute to the success of the initiative.
During the blackout, inverters and generators should remain turned off in all households. In cases where power backup is essential, residents must ensure that no light escapes through windows or doors. Additionally, solar lights, CCTV lights, and commercial signage lighting must also remain switched off.
An appeal has been issued to business associations, shopkeepers, banks, ATM centres, and mobile tower operators to turn off all external and automatic lighting systems to maintain complete darkness during the drill.
Hospitals and other essential emergency service providers have been advised that if it is not feasible to turn off their lights, they must cover all windows and ventilators with curtains or black paper to ensure that no light is visible outside.
Mock drill to be conducted at 3 locations in Barnala
A mock drill will be carried out at three locations in Barnala. As part of this exercise, the Barnala administration will conduct a blackout drill from 8.30 pm to 9 pm. The mock drill will take place at the following locations: Government Senior Secondary School, Sandhu Patti, Barnala; Trident Factory, Dhanaula and Air Force Station, Bhadaur (Bhaddalwad).
Nationwide coordination in border states
Ferozepur blackout from 9 pm to 9.30 pm
As part of Operation Shield, a mock drill will be conducted on May 31 from 6 pm to 7 pm. Warning sirens will sound across the city and cantonment area from 6 pm to 6.30 pm. A blackout exercise will be conducted in the same areas from 9 pm to 9. 30 pm. Residents urged to switch off all lights voluntarily, stay indoors, and maintain calm throughout the period.
Nationwide coordination in border states
This civil defence initiative is being carried out across border states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, as part of a broader preparedness effort. These regions have been identified as priority zones due to their strategic proximity to the Pakistan border.
‘Operation Shield’ is being spearheaded by both central and state governments, aiming to integrate response protocols among various emergency, military, and civilian agencies. It also serves as a real-time review of the region’s emergency infrastructure.