Ranchi, May 6: Indian authorities will conduct a large-scale mock drill for civil safety in Ranchi’s Doranda area on Wednesday, May 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., as part of a national emergency preparedness exercise following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The drill, organized under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Operation Abhyas directive, is being implemented by the Ranchi District Administration. The exercise aims to simulate emergency protocols, including air raid response and civilian evacuation measures, in the event of potential attacks.
Residents in Doranda have been advised not to panic when sirens are sounded during the drill. Officials have instructed people to switch off all household and vehicle lights, including generator systems, to comply with the ‘Crash Blackout’ protocol — a measure intended to create complete darkness and conceal structures from potential aerial threats.
“We request the people of the district not to panic and give full cooperation to the participating officers,” Ranchi Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Officer Manjunath Bhajantri said in a press conference alongside Senior Superintendent of Police Chandan Sinha. “The mock drill is just an exercise for civil security. There is no need to panic if the siren sounds,” Bhajantri added.
Alternate traffic routes will be made available during the three-hour window to minimize disruption in the Doranda area.
The Doranda operation is part of a broader exercise involving six cities in Jharkhand — including Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Godda, Sahibganj, and Gomia — and over 244 locations across India. These drills, which include crash blackouts and simulated evacuations from schools, offices, and public places, are being carried out as a precautionary security measure in the wake of the Pahalgam incident.
Authorities emphasized that the exercise is pre-planned and controlled, with the primary objective of increasing public awareness and resilience in times of crisis. Security forces including Jharkhand Police and special units such as the JAP are expected to take part in mock operations throughout sensitive zones.
India has stepped up its preparedness as the government considers potential responses to the attack in Pahalgam, which has intensified national security discussions at the highest levels, including with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
