As a part of ‘Operation Shield’ a Civil Defence Mock Drill was conducted here on Saturday across all the districts of Kashmir, aimed at bolstering readiness and addressing critical gaps to handle emergencies, and ensure the safety of critical installations and residents.

This drill was a part of nationwide efforts organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs for emergency preparedness.

In Srinagar, Civil Defence Mock Drill was conducted at Amar Niwas Complex today to assess ground preparedness regarding Civil Defence, Emergency Response in Srinagar District.

The exercise took place in presence of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat who is also the Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority.

Personnel from multiple Civil Defence services participated in the Mock Drill as part of the nationwide exercise to test and strengthen the preparedness.

The ‘Operation Shield’ has been designed to simulate hostile situations, including air raid sirens, blackout protocols, and various emergency response actions, to evaluate the preparedness of civil authorities, emergency services, and local populations.

The Drill was also aimed to replicate real-time scenarios that may arise from potential external threats, any troublesome circumstances besides measures being taken to further strengthen the Civil Defence mechanisms, ensuring security of critical infrastructure and citizen safety.

The Drill is expected to significantly improve inter-agency coordination, public awareness, and the ability of the administration to respond swiftly and efficiently in the event of any hostile act or natural disasters and test the effectiveness of safety protocols.

In Anantnag, To boost civil preparedness and enhance coordination among emergency response agencies, the 2nd edition of the Civil Defence Exercise ‘Operation Shield,’ was conducted today at Home Guard Lines Khanabal, Anantnag.

District Magistrate (DM) Anantnag, Syeed Fakhruddin Hamid accompanied by other senior officers was present during the exercise.

The drill was part of a district-wide emergency preparedness initiative and included mock rescue and emergency drills to simulate crisis conditions.

Authorities urged the public not to panic during the drill, as sirens and other unusual activities will be part of the exercise.

The aim was to train both residents and the administration to respond effectively during emergencies.

In Ganderbal, A joint mock drill under the banner of ‘Operation Shield’ was conducted by District Administration Ganderbal in collaboration with SDRF and Civil Defence, here at Central University of Kashmir Tullmulla.

The drill, aimed at strengthening the district’s preparedness for emergency situations was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, and was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Ganderbal and other senior officers of the district administration.

Experts and personnel from SDRF, Health Department, Fire and Emergency Services, along with a large number of students and locals participated in the exercise.

The exercise involved demonstrations of rapid response tactics, simulated rescue operations, and real-time coordination between various emergency services.

During the mock drill, SDRF teams conducted live demonstrations and fire scenarios. Using advanced equipment such as hydraulic cutters, and protective gear, the teams including Health Department showcased critical search-and-rescue operations, including the extraction of victims trapped in fire and evacuation of injured to hospitals.

The demonstrations emphasized the importance of timely, well-coordinated responses to minimize casualties and damage.

Interacting with the gathering, DC underscored the importance of maintaining a clear chain of command and effective communication during disaster situations. He appreciated the efforts of all participating agencies and encouraged the people to remain vigilant and prepared.

Students in attendance received hands-on exposure to disaster management techniques and were educated on risk mitigation strategies and emergency protocols for such incidents as well as training on first aid.

In Kulgam, District Administration Kulgam today conducted a large-scale Civil Defence Mock Drill across multiple locations under the banner of ‘Operation Shield.’

The mock drills were held simultaneously at several institutions, including Government Degree College (GDC) Kulgam, GDC D.H. Pora, AMGDC Kilam and GDC Frisal.

The primary objective of the exercise was to assess and enhance the response capabilities of various departments and to create public awareness about safety measures during emergencies.

The drill was jointly carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Kulgam, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department Kulgam, Revenue Department, and actively supported by NSS and NCC cadets.

The mock Drill exercise witnessed evacuation procedures, fire-fighting demonstrations, first aid response, and crowd management techniques. Participants were trained in how to act promptly and effectively during disaster situations.

Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan said that the Mock drill exercise under ‘Operation Shield’ aims to ensure that our institutions and public are fully prepared to deal with any emergency.

These drills not only test our coordination and readiness but also educate the masses about their role in times of crisis, he added.

In Bandipora, District Administration Bandipora on Saturday conducted a Mock Drill/Exercise at NM BHSS Kaloosa to strengthen emergency response mechanisms.

The event was held under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, who presided over the proceedings and emphasized the importance of coordinated disaster preparedness.

The drill witnessed the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl; Tehsildar Bandipora; DySP DAR; students, Fire and Emergency Services staff, members of the 7 J&K Battalion NCC Kupwara and Bandipora, officials from the Youth Services and Sports Department, and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Speaking on the occasion, DC highlighted the significance of such drills in building community resilience and ensuring swift and efficient responses to potential disaster situations. He lauded the efforts of all participants and stressed the importance of regular training exercises to familiarize both officials and civilians with emergency protocols.

DC reiterated the administration’s commitment to conducting such initiatives periodically to ensure preparedness at all levels.

The mock drill aimed at evaluating the readiness of various departments and enhancing inter-agency coordination in the face of exigency. The exercise concluded with a demonstration of coordinated emergency response, reflecting the district’s readiness to handle crisis situations effectively.

In Baramulla, District Administration Baramulla today conducted a large-scale mock drill under ‘Operation Shield’ at the Indoor Sports Stadium Baramulla.

The exercise was held in collaboration with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Department of Information & Public Relations and other departments.

Before the commencement of the drill, DySP Headquarters and Dy SP DAR Baramulla briefed all participating teams about the objectives, roles, and protocols of the operation. Their detailed overview helped ensure clarity and coordination during the simulated emergency scenario.

The mock drill simulated a high-intensity disaster situation involving evacuation, rescue operations, medical aid, crowd management, and real-time communication. Participating agencies responded promptly and efficiently, showcasing preparedness and coordination.

The exercise was supervised by Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Syed Altaf Hussain Musvi, and witnessed participation from officers and officials of various departments. Volunteers from Civil Defence, SDRF, and other stakeholders also played key roles in the operation.

ADC appreciated the seamless execution of the drill and highlighted the need for frequent such exercises to keep teams prepared for real-life contingencies. He praised the synergy among the forces and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to public safety.

In Pulwama, to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure rapid emergency response, the District Administration Pulwama in coordination with Police, CRPF Pulwama and SDRF Pulwama today conducted a comprehensive civil defense mock exercise ‘Operation Shield.’

The drill was aimed at evaluating the readiness of both authorities and the general public in responding effectively to emergency situations.

The exercise simulated a high-intensity scenario requiring coordinated response efforts from various line departments.

The drill included simulation of different emergency and critical scenarios requiring multiple responses through a coordinated effort of all departments along with volunteers and public.

Personnel from CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, SDRF, and Civil Defence units actively participated in the Operation. Youth Volunteers like Civil defence, NCC and NSS and local residents also joined in, demonstrating commendable enthusiasm and cooperation.

Key emergency protocols such as rescue operations, evacuation procedures, first aid response, fire control were rehearsed in real-time conditions. The operation helped assess inter-agency coordination, communication efficiency, and the responsiveness of emergency services.

The drill highlighted the importance of public awareness, inter-departmental synergy, and the crucial role of community engagement in mitigating the impact of potential disasters.