Key Points
- Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply after the Pahalgam attack, with both sides engaging in cross-border strikes and military build-up.
- The Indian government has launched nationwide civil defence drills, including blackout exercises, air raid sirens, and evacuation rehearsals, to prepare civilians for potential conflict.
- International humanitarian law strictly prohibits targeting civilians, and both governments are urging citizens to follow official safety protocols during emergencies.
- Authorities advise keeping emergency supplies, knowing evacuation routes, and following blackout and shelter-in-place instructions during air raids or missile attacks.
- The Civil Defence Act empowers the government to impose curfews, restrict movement, and requisition resources as needed during wartime emergencies.
New Delhi: After the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan have entered a period of heightened military tension, with both sides exchanging artillery fire, drone strikes, and missile attacks across the border. As the threat of open conflict looms, the Indian government has taken unprecedented steps to prepare both its armed forces and the civilian population for potential wartime scenarios.
Unprecedented Civil Defence Drills and Blackouts
In a move not seen since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states and union territories to conduct full-scale civil defence drills. These exercises include:
- Air raid sirens: Testing public alert systems in cities and border towns.
- Blackout protocols: Cutting off power and lights to reduce visibility to enemy aircraft, with blackout drills held even during daytime.
- Evacuation rehearsals: Training civilians, including schoolchildren, to quickly seek shelter or move to bunkers and safe zones.
- Mock drills in schools and public spaces: Teaching basic survival tactics, such as hitting the ground, shielding heads, and sprinting to safety.
These drills are designed to ensure that civilians can respond swiftly and effectively in the event of an air raid, missile strike, or other emergencies.
Safety Protocols for Civilians During War
International humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, strictly prohibits attacks on civilians and mandates their protection during armed conflict. The Indian government and defence experts have issued the following guidelines for civilian safety:
- Stay indoors: As soon as an air raid siren sounds, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy structure, such as a basement, subway, or designated bunker.
- Prepare an emergency kit: Keep at least a three-day supply of food, water, medicines, a flashlight, first aid kit, and a battery-powered radio ready.
- Blackout precautions: Turn off all lights, electronic, and gas appliances; close windows and doors; and cover windows to prevent light leaks.
- Evacuation plans: Know the nearest safe routes and shelters. Families should agree on a common meeting point in case of separation.
- Avoid rumors: Follow only official government instructions and avoid spreading or acting on unverified information.
- First aid and safety: After an attack, administer first aid if needed, avoid downed wires, and wait for official clearance before moving.
Legal Powers and Restrictions During Wartime
Under the Civil Defence Act of 1968, the government can impose curfews, restrict movement, requisition property, control essential supplies, and censor communications as necessary during emergencies. These measures are intended to support public safety and national security during conflict.
International Law and the Protection of Civilians
Both India and Pakistan are bound by international humanitarian law, which requires all parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians, protect civilian infrastructure, and avoid indiscriminate attacks. Targeting civilians is considered a war crime, and violations can have serious legal consequences.
With India and Pakistan on the brink of further escalation, the government has mobilized civil defence measures nationwide. Civilians are urged to stay alert, follow official protocols, and prepare for emergencies as the region faces one of its most serious security crises in decades. The focus remains on saving lives, maintaining order, and ensuring that the horrors of war do not engulf the civilian population.
