Countries like India, Turkey, and China have already purchased this system. The system uses various types of missiles, and each missile has a different cost. According to information, the price of one S-400 missile can range from $300,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 crores) to $1 million (Rs 8.3 crores). Some long-range missiles, such as the 40N6E, can cost between $1-2 million.

What missiles are included in the S-400?

The S-400 system has four main missiles:

48N6E3: A high-speed missile with a range of 250 km.

40N6E: The longest-range missile with a range of 400 km.

9M96E and 9M96E2: Short-range missiles, cost-effective and with rapid response capability.

Among these, the 40N6E is considered the most expensive and powerful.

Why are these missiles so expensive?

S-400 missiles are not ordinary missiles. They are equipped with high-tech sensors, precise navigation, electronic guidance, and advanced engines. This system can track multiple targets simultaneously and launch missiles accordingly. There are also costs associated with high technology and research in their production. That is why the price of a single missile can reach several crores of rupees.

Recently, many experts explained that if a cheaper kamikaze drone (like the one costing $20,000) is shot down with an S-400 missile, it becomes an economically losing deal. In other words, it costs Rs 8 crores to down a 20-lakh rupee drone. For this reason, many countries are now focusing more on low-cost anti-drone systems.

Turkey and India deals

Turkey purchased 4 S-400 batteries from Russia for $2.5 billion, which included approximately 144 missiles. On average, this makes the cost of one missile around $17.36 million, but this also includes launchers, radar, and other equipment. Experts believe that the actual cost per missile is between $0.5 million and $1 million.

Compared to THAAD of United States

The S-400 is considered cheaper compared to the U.S. THAAD and Patriot systems. According to a CNBC report, the cost of one S-400 battery could be around $500 million, whereas the cost of a U.S. THAAD battery can go up to $3 billion.

List of Airports Shut in India

1. Amritsar (ATQ)
2. Bathinda
3. Bikaner
4. Bhuj
5. Bhuntar
6. Chandigarh (IXC)
7. Dharamshala (Gaggal)
8. Gwalior
9. Halwara
10. Hindon
11. Jaisalmer (JSA)
12. Jammu (IXJ)
13. Jamnagar
14. Jodhpur (JDH)
15. Kandla
16. Keshod
17. Kishangarh
18. Leh (IXL)
19. Ludhiana
20. Mundra
21. Pathankot (IXP)
22. Patiala
23. Porbandar
24. Rajkot
25. Shimla
26. Srinagar (SXR)
27. Thoise (THW)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken on the phone with top officials from India and Pakistan, but he has not yet provided any information about what efforts are being made by the United States to ease tensions between the two countries. So is it because the time for diplomacy has not yet come? Does the U.S. want that the time for diplomacy will come only when war reaches its peak between the two neighbouring countries?

When India and Pakistan were on the verge of getting embroiled in a war after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, the Trump administration did not begin its homework. The United States played a crucial role in stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan in 2000, 2008, and 2019. Mike Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State during Donald Trump’s first term, reminiscing about the period in 2019 when tensions arose between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack, wrote in his book “Never Give an Inch” that “I don’t think the world really understands how close India-Pakistan rivalry came to a nuclear conflict in February 2019.”

The conditions in 2025 are moving beyond 2019. While some Muslim-majority countries are playing a significant role in calming the war between India and Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are among the foremost.

Reports also suggest that two of Pakistan’s highly celebrated JF-17 jets were shot down by India adding that Islamabad may have deployed its American F-16 fighter jets.

This begs the question: Can Pakistan use America supplied F-16 fighter jets against India?

The entire fleet of Pakistan’s F-16s has come from the United States, which has placed strict conditions on how these aircraft can be used. These fighter jets were sold under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. Every such sale comes with an End-Use Monitoring (EUM) agreement, meaning Pakistan cannot freely use or modify the jets without approval, reports WION.

There are also embedded US teams on the ground in Pakistan, part of programmes like Golden Sentry and Blue Lantern, whose job is to ensure American technology is not misused. These teams monitor the deployment of jets and weapons around the clock, says the report further.

Hence, as per the arrangements between the USA and Pakistan, the latter is prohibited from using F-16s in conventional warfare unless approved by the US administration. Moreover, these F-16s have been given to Pakistan on the condition that they will be used only in counterterrorism missions and not in direct state-to-state conflict.

Hence, it is to be understood that these fighter jets are not meant to be used against India in war-like situations.

To recall, US officials had accused Pakistan of breaking its F-16 agreement following the 2019 Balakot air strikes when Pakistan attacked a few sites inside India using these aircraft.

If Pakistan does not adhere to the agreement rules and misuses the F-16s again, America reserves the right to cut off support or suspend agreements.

This has brought to the notice the AWACS about which we have been hearing for a long time. Here we will discuss what exactly are AWACS aircraft.

What is AWACS?

AWACS are specialised planes fitted with a large rotating radar dome on top. These aircraft serve as early warning systems in the sky, detecting threats from much farther away than ground-based radars. It can be described as an airborne radar early warning system designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles and other incoming projectiles at long ranges, as well as performing command and control of the battlespace in aerial engagements by informing and directing friendly fighter and attack aircraft.

AWACS are also used to carry out aerial surveillance over ground and maritime targets and frequently perform battle management command and control. AWACS are capable of tracking much farther than land-based systems by staying airborne. This helps them to track aircraft, missiles, and other threats across wide areas.

How many AWACS does Pakistan have?

Pakistan currently operates nine AWACS aircraft. It bought four Saab-2000 Erieye planes from Sweden in 2006 and followed it up with an order for four ZDK-03 AWACS from China in 2008 which it retired in 2024.

Pakistan added three more Erieye aircraft, one batch in 2017, and another in 2020. With the Chinese ZDK-03s no longer in service, if India shot down a Pakistani AWACS, it is to be a Saab-2000 Erieye.

(Disclaimer: The above information is based on multiple media reports and sources. India.com does not independently verify these claims.)

India’s integrated counter-UAS (UAS) grid and air defense systems, such as Akash, MRSAM, Zu-23, L-70, and Shilka, have neutralized Pakistan’s attacks. These systems have destroyed Pakistani drones and missiles in the air, inflicting no damage on India.

1. Akash Missile System: Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed indigenously by India, designed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation). It is the backbone of the Indian Army and Air Force. It is deployed on a mobile launcher, providing flexibility.

Range: 25-30 kilometers

Targets: Fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles

Altitude: Up to 18 kilometers

Guidance System: Radar-based command guidance

Accuracy: Over 90%

The Akash missile system has played a crucial role in tracking and destroying drones and missiles.

2. MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile): MRSAM is an advanced air defense system developed in joint collaboration between India and Israel. It is part of the Barak-8 missile and is deployed in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. It is deployed on mobile and naval platforms.

Range: 70-100 kilometers

Targets: Fighter jets, drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles

Altitude: Up to 20 kilometers

Guidance system: Active radar homing and multi-function radar

Accuracy: High accuracy with multi-target tracking

MRSAM has played a significant role in destroying Pakistani drones and missiles in northern and western India.

3. Zu-23-2: The Zu-23-2 is a Soviet-made twin-barrel 23 mm automatic anti-aircraft gun, widely used by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Its deployment is both mobile and stationary.

Range: 2.5 kilometers

Target: Low-flying drones, helicopters, and aircraft

Speed: 970 meters/second

Guidance System: Optical sight and radar-based tracking

The Zu-23-2 has destroyed low-flying Pakistani drones with its rapid firing.

4. L-70: The L-70 is a Swedish-made 40 mm anti-aircraft gun, which has been upgraded by India. It is part of the low-altitude defense of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

Range: 4 kilometers

Target: Drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft

Rate of Fire: 300 rounds per minute

Guidance System: Radar-based fire control system

Deployment: Both stationary and mobile

The L-70 has played a significant role in destroying Pakistani drones, particularly in the Punjab and Jammu-Kashmir regions.

5. Shilka (ZSU-23-4): Shilka is a Soviet-made self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, equipped with four 23 mm cannons. It is an important part of the Indian Army’s low-altitude defense. It is self-propelled on an armoured vehicle.

Range: 2.5 kilometers

Targets: Drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft

Rate of Fire: 4000 rounds per minute

Guidance System: Radar and optical tracking

Shilka’s high firing rate has helped destroy Pakistani drones in Udhampur and other areas. Its mobility and radar-based tracking have made it effective on the battlefield.

Located in Saudi Arabia, this 256-kilometer (159 miles) long road cuts through the Rub’ al Khali desert, also known as the ‘Empty Quarter’, which is the largest sand desert in the world. Notably, this is a private road, built for use by King Fahd, which is why there are no turns on this road.

According to a report by Arab News, Highway 10 starts from Harad (a city famous for oil and gas reserves) and goes up to Al Batha near the UAE border. The highway built in Saudi Arabia is a unique example of modern engineering. It provides a unique driving experience.

According to the Guinness World Records, it is a highway built in the desert without any turns. The estimated driving time on this super straight highway is about 2 hours, meaning the distance of 256 kilometers can be covered in just two hours. However, despite the lack of turns, there remains a risk of accidents on this highway because camels roam around in the desert areas and can suddenly appear on the road.

Before Highway 10 in Saudi Arabia, Australia’s Eyre Highway was the second longest highway in the world without any turns. This 146-kilometer long road connects Western Australia to South Australia. This highway is also completely straight. The interesting thing is that while Highway 10 has camels posing a danger, Eyre Highway is frequented by kangaroos.

Europe, which has long struggled with resource dependency, will now hopefully be self-sufficient as described by Norge Mining, the company behind the discovery which further said that the vast deposits were discovered earlier this year.

According to EuroNews, the phosphate deposit, located in the southwestern region of Norway, is not just large, it is potentially transformative. Norge Mining, which uncovered the deposit in 2018, reported in May that the site contains 70 billion tonnes of phosphate. This find could ensure a steady supply of this critical material for at least the next 50 years, providing a much-needed boost to the production of green technologies.

Phosphate is a vital part in many devices, from battery production for electric vehicles to solar panels and fertilizer. It has gained a lot of significance as the world continues to prioritize sustainable energy solutions.

Founder and deputy CEO of Norge Mining Michael Wurmser says that this discovery is notable because it is larger than all known phosphate sources in Europe, making it a significant player in the global market.

With these deposits, Norway can become a serious competitor and rival to countries like China, Morocco, and Russia which will in turn provide an impetus to Europe which has been for a very long time been facing challenges in securing this vital resource.

The continent has long relied on China, Morocco, and Russia to meet its phosphate needs, often dealing with unstable supply chains and geopolitical tensions. For example, the war in Ukraine disrupted the phosphate supply, pushing Europe to look for alternative sources.

But this discovery is being viewed as an opportunity to reduce Europe’s dependency on external suppliers. Given the location of the phosphate within Europe, the logistical challenges of obtaining and transferring this element would be negligible.

According to the agreement, Reliance New Suntech will supply 930 megawatts of solar energy integrated with a 465 megawatt/1,860 megawatt hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at a competitive fixed rate of Rs 3.53 per kilowatt hour.

A capital investment of up to Rs 10,000 crore is involved. Reliance Power’s subsidiary company Reliance New Suntech is set to develop and launch the largest integrated solar and BESS project in Asia at a single location within the next 24 months. This project includes a capital investment of up to Rs 10,000 crore, indicating a significant strategic commitment to operational capacity and long-term value creation.

Clean energy is a major achievement in the direction of change. A solar production capacity of over 1,700 MW (megawatt peak) will be established under the project to achieve a contracted capacity of 930 MW. The statement said that this strategic agreement is one of the most significant long-term power purchase arrangements in India to date, marking a major achievement in the country’s clean energy transition.

How the stock has performed: In the past 5 days, Reliance Power’s stock has fallen by about 8.5%. In one month, it has declined by 7%. Over 6 months, the stock has decreased by 4.6%. So far in 2025, the stock has dropped by 10%.

At a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col. Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the media about details of the operation that lasted for 25 minutes. Misri said the actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible.

According to the press briefing, these targets were struck by the Indian Armed Forces:

Targets in Pakistan occupied Kashmir

Sawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad: This was a training centre for Lashkar-e-Taiba. Terrorists involved in October 20, 2024 attack in Sonmarg, October 24, 2024 attack in Gulmarg, April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam were all trained here.

Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad: This was a staging area of Jaish-e-Mohammed. This was also a weapons, explosives and jungle survival training centre

Gulpur camp in Kotli: This was a base camp of LeT, that was active in Rajouri and Poonch areas of Jammu. Attacks in Poonch on April 20, 2023, and June 9, 2024, were carried out by terrorists trained here.

Barnala camp in Bhimber: This was also a weapons handling, explosives and jungle survival training centre.

Abbas camp in Kotli: Fidayeen of the LeT were prepared here. It had a capacity to train 15 terrorists.

Targets within Pakistan

Sarjal camp in Sialkot: Terrorists who killed four J&K police personnel in March 2025, received their training at this camp.

Mehmoona Joya camp in Sialkot: Pathankot air force base camp attack was planned and carried out from this terrorist camp.

Markaz Taiba camp in Muridke: Terrorists who participated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks were trained here. Ajmal Kasab and David Headley received training here.

Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur: This is the HQ of Jaish-e-Muhammad. Recruitment, training, and indoctrination were carried out here.

This was evident from the language used by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif who said that if India stops the attack, we will not take any action either. He made these comments in an interview with a Pakistani TV channel.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Bloomberg, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that we are not taking any hostile actions against India; we are just protecting our land. He mentioned that for the past two weeks, Pakistan has made it clear that it will not start any attack against India. However, if India attacks, there will certainly be a response.

On Wednesday, 07 May 2025, regarding the situation between Pakistan and India, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated that China considers India’s military action as ‘unfortunate’. China expressed concern about the situation. The spokesperson further mentioned that both India and Pakistan are neighbours of each other and also of China. China opposes all forms of terrorism but calls on all parties to maintain peace and stability.

China has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation, and resolve the issues peacefully.

India destroyed 9 terrorist bases in Pakistan in retaliation to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. India launched Operation Sindoor around 1 AM on Wednesday, 07 May 2025 targeting 9 locations in Pakistan and Pok. In this operation by the Indian Army, several terrorist bases in Pakistan were destroyed and many terrorists were killed, including 14 members of the family of the most wanted terrorist Masood Azhar.

On one hand, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about a quick end to the war, while on the other, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has talked separately to the national security advisors of India and Pakistan. Rubio has also urged both countries to exercise restraint.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was also one of the first countries to react to the current situation. On Wednesday, 07 May 2025 morning, the UAE stated that India and Pakistan should not escalate the existing tensions further.

Another strategic partner of India, Israel, has also supported India’s actions taken in self-defense. Ruven Azar, Israel’s ambassador in New Delhi, stated that terrorists should know that there is no safe place for them.

Just a few hours after the conclusion of Operation Sindoor, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar wrote on social mediat, “The world should show a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”

The US Secretary of State wrote on social media, “I am closely monitoring the current situation between India and Pakistan. I reiterate what President Trump expressed this morning that tensions should be resolved swiftly. We will maintain contact with the top leaders of both India and Pakistan for a peaceful resolution.”

Rubio also mentioned that he spoke separately to the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan. The Indian Embassy in the US has reported that after actions at nine locations in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, NSA Ajit Doval informed the US NSA and the Secretary of State separately.

During war, certain targets are strategically and economically important. Their destruction weakens the enemy’s military capability, supply chain, and morale. In the India-Pakistan wars, the following targets have been prominent:

Refineries: Refineries are a major source of fuel necessary for military vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Their destruction limits the enemy’s military mobility. In the 1971 war, the Indian Air Force (IAF) attacked the Attock refinery (near Rawalpindi) on December 6 with four Hunter aircraft from Squadron No. 20. This attack generated a massive fire and smoke, which helped in navigation for subsequent attacks.

Airports and Airbases: Airbases and airports are critical for air force operations. Their destruction weakens the enemy’s air power and prevents air strikes.

High-rise buildings: High-rise buildings can serve as command centers, communication hubs, or symbolic targets in urban areas. However, there are limited instances of directly targeting them in India-Pakistan wars, as both countries have sought to avoid civilian casualties.

Fuel Depots: Fuel depots store fuel for military operations. Their destruction severely impacts military activities, as a lack of fuel can halt aircraft, tanks, and ships.

India and Pakistan prioritized strategic and economic goals in their military strategies. The selection of targets in these wars was based on the following factors:

Weakening Military Capability: Attacks on airbases and runways (such as Sargodha, Tejgaon) were aimed at destroying the enemy’s air power. In 1971, the IAF incapacitated the PAF in East Pakistan within 48 hours. In 1965, the IAF flew 3937 sorties, most of which aimed to destroy PAF’s bases and supply lines.

Economic Damage: Targets such as refineries and fuel depots were chosen to weaken the enemy’s economy. The Karachi port, which was Pakistan’s commercial hub, was severely impacted by attacks from the IAF and Navy in 1971.

Psychological impact: Attacks on large targets like refineries and ports were aimed at breaking the enemy’s morale and instilling fear in the public. The fire at oil tanks in Karachi is an example of this.

According to internal documents obtained by Business Insider, Microsoft is also tracking “good attrition”, a benchmark that counts certain employee departures as positive outcomes for the company. Microsoft recently fired approximately 2,000 employees deemed underperformers without severance and this policy overhaul is being seen as part of a broader part of management policies to release low performers faster and prevent their return to the company.

The new performance plans now include exit options as well. For e.g., the company’s new performance improvement process offers struggling employees two choices, 1) Accept a performance improvement plan (PIP) with “clear expectations and a timeline for improvement” or 2) Voluntarily leave with a separation package equivalent to 16 weeks of pay, reports Business Insider.

“Employees with zero and 60% Rewards outcomes and/or on an active PIP will not be eligible for internal transfers,” stated an internal email to managers from new Chief People Officer Amy Coleman. The email further specified that “former employees who left with zero or 60% Rewards or during/after a PIP will not be eligible for rehire until two years after their termination date.”

Microsoft’s implementation of these policies are very similar to the policies at other tech giants. The “good attrition” metric resembles Amazon’s controversial “unregretted attrition” system, which sets goals for the percentage of employees organizations should lose annually.

On the other hand, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta maintains comparable internal block lists that prevent certain former employees from being rehired, using designations like “non-regrettable attrition” and “do not rehire” flags.

Industry experts see these changes as part of a broader shift across tech companies toward more rigorous performance expectations and reduced employee perks. Microsoft’s new policies represent a significant departure from the company’s previous “growth mindset” culture established under CEO Satya Nadella, which had moved away from the controversial stack-ranking system used prior to 2014. The era of employee pampering appears to be ending as performance-based job cuts become increasingly common.

According to an AP report, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated at the Dhaka airport that Zia’s return will restore the democratic process in Bangladesh. He said, “This is a moment of joy for our party and the country. At this crucial time for democracy, Zia’s presence is vital for the country. We are confident that Khaleda Zia’s return will pave the way for democratic change.” He clearly indicated that his party will emphasize the demand for elections.

Political instability in Bangladesh has led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government after student protests last August. Since then, Bangladesh has been under interim government. The interim government is responsible for conducting elections in the country and handing over power to the winning party, but doubts are emerging about the interim government’s commitment to hold elections. The interim government led by Mohammad Yunus has not announced any date for the elections. They have expressed hope for elections by June next year after reforms. Now, they will face increased pressure from the BNP party, which had softened due to Zia’s absence from the country.

Khalida Zia and Sheikh Hasina have alternated as the Prime Ministers of the country since 1991. Over the past three decades, these two leaders have been the most significant political faces of Bangladesh. Khalida Zia has served as Prime Minister three times. She completed a five-year term twice and was Prime Minister for a few months once. During Hasina’s rule, Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison for two corruption cases. She was released after the interim government came to power last year. Zia is the widow of former military president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981.

According to internal guidelines obtained by Business Insider, employees who earn Amazon’s “Top Tier” performance rating for four consecutive years will now receive 110% of their pay range, exceeding the previous cap of 100%. Meanwhile, first-time Top Tier recipients will get 70% of their pay band, down from 80% last year.

“This approach ensures a steadier compensation progression,” states the internal pay guideline, referring to the company’s total compensation target metric. An Amazon spokesperson explained that the updated model “better distinguishes between newer high performers and those who have consistently exceeded expectations for their role and level.”

In a nutshell, Amazon’s new pay model rewards veteran top performers and cuts first-time achievers.

The revised structure places greater emphasis on an employee’s rating history rather than just current performance. Employees moving from lower ratings to Highly Valued 2 (HV2) will receive 10% of their pay range instead of the previous 20%, while those who drop from Highly Valued 3 (HV3) to HV2 will maintain 20%, indicating the company’s increased focus on past achievements.

Likewise, first-time HV3 recipients will receive 40% of their pay range rather than 50%, while employees with two consecutive Top Tier ratings will get 90% of their band instead of the previous 100%.

This change of police by Amazon represents a significant shift in how the e-commerce giant distributes compensation across its workforce. The changes clearly benefit employees who maintain top performance over multiple years while potentially disadvantaging newer high achievers and those with inconsistent performance records.

Similar performance-based compensation strategies have been implemented by other technology companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta with stricter review policies and reduced rewards for underperformers.

Due to the blockade, the water level in the Chenab River in Jammu’s Akhnoor area has dropped to a very low level which is drawing villagers in large numbers and many were looking for gold, silver jewellery, and coins, reported ANI. Officials said the water level fell because the flow of the river was restricted by closing all gates of the Baglihar and Salal dams to refill the reservoirs.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police warned people on Monday, May 5, not to walk across the Chenab River in Jammu’s Akhnoor area as the water level in the Chenab River would rise soon and asked people to leave the area for their safety. “The water level in the Chenab River is going to increase. Everyone is requested to come out of the river,” the police and local authorities said in an announcement.

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India has rattled Pakistan. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee on Monday expressed alarm over a sharp drop in water flow from the Chenab River at Marala, caused by reduced supply from India. This drop could lead to a 21% water shortage in Pakistan during the early part of the Kharif cropping season, reported ANI.

The report further said that the IRSA Advisory Committee met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Sahibzada Muhammad Shabir to finalise the expected water availability for the remaining Kharif period, which runs from May to September 2025. Shabir is the Chairman of IRSA at IRSA HQS Islamabad.

During the meeting, the committee reviewed the water situation for both the early Kharif period (May to June 10) and the late Kharif period (June 11 to September). The committee members jointly raised concern about the sudden fall in water flow from the Chenab River at Marala, warning that this could lead to severe shortages in the early Kharif season.

IRSA warned that if the current situation continues, there could be a 21% water shortage during the rest of the early Kharif period. The water situation will be monitored daily, and the shortage estimate may be updated if the flow from the Chenab continues to drop. For the late Kharif period, the expected shortage is around 7%.

(With ANI inputs)

Purpose of mock drill

According to the MHA sources, the measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, among others on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. The measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.

The exercise will involve the implementation of crash blackout measures, simulating a power-outage scenario to reduce visibility during potential air raids. Authorities have been instructed to ensure early camouflaging of vital installations and strategic infrastructure as part of the preparedness effort. Additionally, the drills will include the updating and rehearsal of evacuation plans to ensure a swift and orderly response in the event of an emergency.

At which places mock drill will be conducted

The mock drill is expected to be conducted across 244 Civil Defence districts in 9 States and Union Territories at few selected sites to be decided by local administration. These 244 districts are located across India, including border states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, and the North East. At least 100 of the 244 locations have been identified as highly sensitive.

Exact details about the task will be known come after the meeting of Home Secretary Govind Mohan to coordinate civil defence preparedness across the country. It will be discussed how to train civilians for emergency scenarios, according to news reports. Public response to air raid sirens, actions to take during blackouts, and the readiness of essential supplies.

Air raid warning sirens, crash blackout

During the drills, air raid warning sirens will be activated while civilians and students will be trained in civil defence to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. In some areas, the measures would also include a crash blackout, early camouflaging of vital installations and updating of evacuation plans and their rehearsal. The last such drill was conducted in India in 1971, ahead of the India-Pakistan war.

Significance of the mock drill

The purpose behind the mock drill is to prepare citizens and authorities for any war like situation.

It is not a sign of panic

Officials will assess the outcome and make improvements if needed. As mentioned, the drills will be carried out across officially notified Civil Defence districts in coordination with district authorities.

Participants include:

• Civil Defence wardens
• Home Guards
• National Cadet Corps (NCC)
• National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers
• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members
• Students from schools and colleges

Power cuts, blackout simulations

There might be short-term power cuts, suspension of mobile signals, blackout simulations, loud sirens, and restricted access to certain public areas, police and paramilitary forces may simulate a war-like emergency, traffic may also be diverted temporarily in some cities. Authorities may also conduct evacuation exercises or hold public announcements.

All these exercises are a part of the drill and not real life situations.

Major components

Camouflage Exercises: Critical installations, including communication towers, power plants, and military areas, will undergo camouflage operations to test concealment techniques from aerial or satellite monitoring.

Crash Blackouts: Cities may switch off visible lights to mimic blackout conditions used during wars. This reduces the risk of detection during night-time airstrikes.

Air Raid Sirens: Sirens will be activated to check public alert systems. These serve as warnings in case of incoming aerial threats, allowing people time to take cover.

Evacuation Drills: Authorities will simulate evacuations from high-risk zones to safer locations. These drills help identify logistical issues and improve response time.

Civilian Training Sessions: Schools, colleges, and community centres will host awareness sessions. These will teach people how to find shelter, use basic first aid, and stay calm during emergencies.

Major cities preparing for mock drill

Delhi: The Delhi government is finalising a list of sites where these drills will be carried out on Wednesday.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Civil Defence, Police and local administration rehearsed a mock drill exercise in Lucknow’s Police Lines, following MHA’s order for nationwide mock drills on May 7.

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar Police and teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a comprehensive mock drill in Dal Lake on Tuesday, 06 May 2025. The exercise focused on response preparedness for contingency scenarios like boat capsizing and drowning incidents.

Chandigarh, Punjab: Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Mock drills will be conducted in 20 districts of the state. Teams of Civil Defence, Punjab Police, along with the Union Home Ministry will conduct mock drills tomorrow. We have to protect our 500km border and citizens.”

As the tension between India and Pakistan escalates after this attack, so does the support India receive from world powers.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, announcing that the Trump administration will assist India with resources. This announcement is being seen as a green light for India, and Johnson’s statement is doubling Pakistan’s concerns. Pakistan is already apprehensive that when India takes revenge for Pahalgam, it will face dire consequences. Pakistan has claimed before world powers that it had no hand in the Pahalgam incident and has made claims prioritizing peace.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said in his statement, “India will have to stand against terrorism. We will make every effort to support those efforts. If the threat has increased, the Trump administration will assist India with energy and resources to fight terrorism.”

This statement has caused a stir among India’s adversaries. Speculation is rising that the US has given the green light for India to attack Pakistan and is also ready to assist India in this.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after the Pahalgam attack. In this attack, terrorists shot 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has been blamed for this, and the Indian government has vowed to punish the guilty.