New Delhi: The nationwide civil defence mock drill, code-named Operation Shield, originally scheduled for May 29, has been postponed across multiple states and Union Territories, including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Chandigarh, following instructions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Authorities have clarified that the rescheduling is purely an administrative decision and is not linked to any security threat.
Haryana, which was also set to conduct the drill on Thursday, officially announced on Wednesday evening that the exercise will now be held on June 3. The Haryana Home Department stated that all deputy commissioners and relevant agencies have been duly informed of the revised schedule.
The Chandigarh administration similarly confirmed the deferral of the exercise through an official notice. The statement made it clear that there would be no blackout or drill conducted on May 29, countering any circulating speculation.
The purpose of Operation Shield is to assess and strengthen emergency preparedness in states and Union Territories along India’s western border. While new dates for the drill in Rajasthan, Punjab, and other affected regions are yet to be announced, officials emphasized that the delay is strictly procedural.
Authorities continue to stress that the postponement is not in response to any external threat and remains a routine internal measure.
