Thu May 08 01:15:54 UTC 2025: **India Conducts Nationwide Mock Drills Following Cross-Border Air Strikes**
BHOPAL, INDIA – Amid heightened tensions following “Operation Sindoor,” India’s late-night air strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Madhya Pradesh conducted state-wide civil defence mock drills on May 7th, 2025. The drills, ordered by the Union Home Ministry, involved five districts: Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Katni.
The drills, lasting from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., included emergency rescue and evacuation rehearsals, siren alarms, and medical and fire drills. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF), and local police participated, practicing responses in schools, colleges, shopping malls, and other public places. A subsequent blackout was also observed.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav oversaw the drills and stressed the importance of public awareness and preparedness. He praised the armed forces’ actions in “Operation Sindoor,” launched in response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Yadav described the operation as a strong response, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisiveness.
Support for the military action transcended party lines. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress praised the armed forces, with Congress suspending its upcoming political campaigns to show unity during this time of national tension. Congress leader Jitu Patwari expressed national unity and support for the government’s actions.
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