Civil defense drills are being carried out across India on Wednesday, just hours after the country launched military strikes against Pakistan.
Although the timing coincides with heightened military activity, officials say the drills were scheduled in advance.
In a rare directive not issued in decades, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered every state and union territory to participate.
According to government posts on X, exercises are taking place at 244 sites nationwide. These include emergency siren tests, evacuation simulations, and blackout protocols.
The drills are intended to assess preparedness for emergency situations and to raise public awareness about safety protocols during crises.
Officials have urged citizens not to panic and to treat the simulations as precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in several urban centers amid fears of potential escalation.
The government reiterated its commitment to national safety and maintaining calm across the country.
