Operation Shield: Gujarat Conducts Statewide Mock Drills To Strengthen Disaster Readiness | Video

Ahmedabad: In a move to assess and enhance civil defense preparedness, the Gujarat government, under the directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, carried out extensive mock drills across the state under ‘Operation Shield’. These drills focused on testing emergency response mechanisms in the event of natural disasters, aerial attacks, or other large-scale emergencies. Key locations including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Keshod, Gandhinagar, Bhuj, and Banaskantha hosted coordinated mock exercises simulating high-stress crisis scenarios.

In Ahmedabad, the civil defense team conducted an exercise in the Sadar Bazaar cantonment area of Shahibaug, simulating emergency evacuation and response. In Rajkot, under the leadership of Fire Officer Moin Sheikh, fire safety drills were conducted, covering fire types, extinguisher use, first aid, and search-and-rescue techniques. Local villagers, cadets, and volunteers actively participated. SRP trainers also provided critical awareness on identifying combat drones and mitigating threats during conflict.

In coastal districts like Jamnagar, mock aerial attack drills were conducted at the Indian Coast Guard’s residential colony in Vadinar. The drill simulated real-time emergency response, with authorities evacuating injured individuals to hospitals. Simultaneously, Jamnagar Air Force Station and Smritivan in Bhuj also staged similar drills around 5:00 PM. A mandatory blackout was enforced between 8:00 and 8:30 PM to test blackout preparedness.

At the India-Pakistan border in Nadabet (Banaskantha district), a civil defense training session was held involving BSF personnel, local authorities, and civilians, focusing on response coordination in border emergencies.

These mock drills are part of Gujarat’s comprehensive disaster management strategy aimed at ensuring rapid, organized responses to both natural and man-made threats. Officials confirmed that no real threats were present during the drills, which were strictly precautionary and training-oriented.