IAF to Conduct Major Aerial Drills Near Pakistan Border; Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drills Also Planned

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
New Delhi, 6th May 2025: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct large-scale aerial exercises for two days starting tomorrow (7 May) near the Line of Control (LoC). The IAF has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), alerting pilots and aviation agencies to restricted airspace during the drills.

“IAF is conducting a pre-planned routine training exercise”, IAF spokesperson said.

The exercise will involve frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Mirage-2000, and Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, focusing on air-to-air combat and ground attack simulations. The move comes as a show of preparedness and strength amid rising regional security concerns.

A NOTAM serves as a critical advisory to aviation stakeholders, ensuring flight safety during military operations and other airspace-related activities.
Civil Defence Mock Drills Across 244 Sensitive Areas
Simultaneously, the Union Home Ministry will conduct nationwide civil defence mock drills on Wednesday (7 May) across 244 identified districts, designated as Civil Defence Districts. These districts have been categorized into three sensitivity levels—Category-1 being the most vulnerable and Category-3 the least.

The drills aim to enhance public preparedness in case of wartime emergencies. The ministry had issued orders to all states on May 5, directing them to carry out mock drills in coordination with local authorities. A high-level meeting chaired by senior Home Ministry officials, state Chief Secretaries, and the Civil Defence Chief reviewed preparedness today in New Delhi.

Political Tensions Rise Over Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a parallel development, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the party’s “Save Constitution” rally in Ranchi. Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister had prior intelligence about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead, and canceled his Kashmir visit accordingly but failed to protect ordinary citizens.

“The government admitted to an intelligence failure. If they knew about the threat, why weren’t adequate security measures taken?” Kharge questioned.
Indian Navy to Induct Russian-Made Stealth Warship ‘Tamal’
Adding to India’s defence build-up, the Indian Navy is set to receive a modern stealth warship named ‘Tamal’, built in Russia, by May 28. According to media reports, the ship will be formally inducted in June and will be equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, enhancing India’s maritime strike capabilities. The stealth features are designed to evade radar detection, significantly boosting operational advantages.

These rapid military and civil preparedness developments come at a time when the nation remains on high alert amid external threats and internal security concerns.