Security mock drills across India today: What’s open and what’s closed

To assess civil defense readiness in times of crisis, security simulation exercises will take place throughout India on Wednesday as instructed by the Union Home Ministry. The orders were issued on Monday as tensions heightened between India and Pakistan following the April 22 assault in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists.

In a surprise move before the scheduled security exercises throughout India, Indian security forces executed ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

With rising security threats, it is essential to assess if districts in India are ready for it. Indian metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai rank among the most at-risk locations in India, along with cities housing critical facilities such as nuclear reactors, refineries, and others.

In many areas, security drills are expected to occur at 4 pm, but the schedule may vary by district. All educational establishments, such as schools and colleges throughout India, will remain open on May 7 in the majority of regions. Nonetheless, educational institutions in certain regions of states like Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan have been closed due to ‘Operation Sindoor’. In Rajasthan, schools in four border districts closed due to Indian forces conducting air strikes in Pakistan.

On Wednesday, banks will generally stay open. All public transportation options, including metros, buses, trains, and flights, will operate as planned. Nonetheless, certain airports were shut down on Wednesday following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.