Nagaland designated under ‘Category II’
Kohima, May 6 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland will conduct a coordinated civil defence mock drill across 10 districts on May 7 at 4:00 PM under the code name “Operation Abhyaas”, as part of a nationwide security preparedness exercise directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
According to an official statement issued by the state government on Tuesday, the exercise will be carried out simultaneously in Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Kiphire, and Peren. Citizens have been advised not to panic, as the drill will involve sirens, simulated air raids, blackout procedures, and mass evacuation scenarios.
The mock drill will simulate hostile aerial attacks and emergency response operations:
The exercise is intended to test the operational coordination and effectiveness of civil defence mechanisms in each district. Participants will include the District Controllers, civil defence wardens and volunteers, Home Guards (both active and reservists), students from NCC, NSS, NYKS, and educational institutions, as well as other local authorities.
The State War Room will submit hourly reports to the DGCD Control Room at the MHA in New Delhi throughout the operation.
All participating districts in Nagaland have been designated as Category II under the MHA’s national civil defence framework.
This categorization indicates a moderate threat level, in contrast to Category I districts like those in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, which are viewed as high-priority due to their proximity to international borders and critical installations.
Category II districts—while not considered immediate targets—are expected to undergo full-scale simulations and demonstrate operational readiness. Nagaland’s inclusion reflects its strategic location in India’s eastern sector and its proximity to international borders, particularly Myanmar.
Officials said the exercise will mirror protocols being enacted nationwide, with state-specific modifications. Simulations will include crash blackouts, public evacuation, and rapid deployment of emergency services to emulate responses to war-like conditions or terrorist threats.
First Nationwide Civil Defence Drill Since 1971
The drill marks India’s first nationwide civil defence mobilisation since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and comes amid heightened security concerns following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26. In response, the MHA has directed all states and union territories to conduct simultaneous exercises to test civil defence readiness.
Over 244 districts across India are participating in the drill. The operation is designed to prepare both the public and government agencies to respond to potential hostile attacks, including aerial threats, sabotage, or other emergencies.
The Union Home Ministry has asked states to involve both urban and rural populations, mobilize youth volunteers, and coordinate across departments such as police, fire services, health, and disaster response.
In Nagaland, Operation Abhyaas will also serve as a stress test for the state’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Department, which coordinates with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) and other agencies for emergency response.
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