Civil Defence Blackout Drill Conducted Along India-Pakistan Border Areas

Indian authorities carried out a civil defence air raid and blackout mock drill in Poonch district on Friday night, testing emergency preparedness in sensitive areas along the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC).

The short 10-minute exercise, held from 8:00 PM to 8:10 PM, involved sounding air raid sirens followed by a complete blackout. Residents were asked to switch off all lights, close curtains, and follow safety protocols to simulate response during potential aerial threats or emergencies. The drill focused on enhancing coordination among the district administration, police, health services, municipal bodies, Civil Defence teams, and the State Disaster Response Force.

The exercise formed part of routine preparedness measures in border districts. Similar civil defence activities have been observed or planned in other areas along the Indo-Pak border, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as authorities work to boost public awareness and inter-agency readiness.

Such drills along the Indo-Pak border regions serve as precautionary steps to strengthen civilian and administrative response mechanisms in strategically important zones. Officials have emphasised that these exercises are standard training and not linked to any immediate threat. Earlier announcements for a multi-day drill in Poonch faced some public concern, leading to adjustments, but Friday’s targeted blackout proceeded smoothly without incidents.