Pune conducts wartime drills at six strategic locations

Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation personnel enter the building for search and rescue operations

AMID heightened tensions with Pakistan following ‘Operation Sindoor', in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, extensive mock evacuation drills were carried out at six strategic locations across Pune district on Wednesday.

Personnel from civil defence, police, fire brigade, NDRF, and other emergency services participated in these drills held at the Council Hall (district administrative building), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) headquarters, Vanaz Industrial Estate, Mulshi Panchayat Samiti, and Talegaon-Dabhade Municipal Council.

An ‘injured' man being taken to an ambulance. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Wartime simulation drills began at all these locations at exactly 4 pm, with sirens blaring at the Council Hall, followed by controlled explosions meant to simulate a bomb attack. Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade, NDRF, Force One commandos, and health workers, swiftly moved in to evacuate personnel and rescue "casualties". Tear gas was also used during the simulation, causing temporary discomfort among onlookers, but heightening the realism of the exercise.

Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, who oversaw the drill from the Council Hall, said, "The drills have demonstrated our capability to respond effectively to extreme situations, including terrorist attacks. All agencies operated in coordination and performed as per standard operating procedures within the planned 25-minute timeframe."

Evacuated people wait outside the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation building

Indian Army officers and several NCC cadets were also present, monitoring and assisting the operation, with cadets playing a key role in rescue and coordination tasks. The PMC and PCMC drills began with the bursting of firecrackers to simulate explosions. Employees evacuated the premises immediately, while NDRF teams responded with emergency medical transport for dummy casualties. The exercise included search operations, site sanitisation, and medical treatment, offering employees hands-on exposure to emergency protocol.

According to officials, the objective of these drills was to increase public awareness and strengthen response mechanisms in the event of wartime emergencies or terrorist attacks. The drills drew comparisons with similar wartime preparedness actions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War - the last time such coordinated national-level exercises took place.

While the drills initially left some government employees and visitors at the Council Hall startled, many described the experience as eye-opening. "This was my first time witnessing such a drill. It offered valuable insight into how such emergencies might unfold," said Rohan Shinde, a visitor.

An ‘injured' woman being rescued by fire brigade personnel

Videos and photos of the drills circulated online also sparked discussions around disaster preparedness. District Collector Dudi reiterated that drills like these are crucial for building a resilient civil response system. "How people behave in extreme panic situations determines the success of any evacuation. These drills instil the confidence needed to respond calmly and effectively."

Officials reported similar levels of coordination and response from drills conducted simultaneously at the five other sites. With multiple agencies and college students participating, Pune's drills showcased a unified and disciplined approach to crisis management, setting an example for urban emergency preparedness in today's volatile security environment. Drills were conducted in 244 "civil defence districts" across India, marking the first such nationwide exercise in over five decades.