The Center has asked the states to conduct security exercises on Wednesday, “Train citizens and students for effective civil security in the event of hostile attacks”. This order comes at a time when the line of tension and control along the international border is increased by repeated firing by Pakistan for 11 straight nights.
On 22 April, Pakistan -linked militants killed 26 civilians in a target attack in Pahgam in Jammu and Kashmir. This was the worst attack in the center area since Pulwama in 2019. Since then, India has taken several diplomatic measures against Pakistan, and Prime Minister Modi has warned that those involved in conspiring and plotting the terrorist attack will be a punishment that they cannot imagine.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs for Civil Defense is the first since 1971, the year India and Pakistan went to war on two fronts. The two -week war divided into two with Pakistan and its eastern half became Bangladesh.
Even during the 1999 Kargil conflict, such advice was not issued when the forces of the two countries were against each other and fear of widespread conflict in the western region, and even during the operation in 2001-2002, during Operation Promotion, when India planned their troops to their troops operated by terrorists operated by terrorists operated for the international border and local. The war seemed imminent, but the tension decreased, followed by a ceasefire in 2003.
54 years ago: when citizens were ready for war
The concept of ‘Civil Defense’ began in 1962 when Chinese troops illegally occupied a large tract of land in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh (earlier NEFA). During this period, many states saw blackouts, training, trenches dug, dug, and withdrawal plans were made in terms of an attack. Even in cities like Delhi, people were asked not to lighten the candles as it could direct the enemy’s war planes, although the Chinese never came by air.
Indians experienced a similar fears three years later in 1965 and again six years later.
In 1971, the Pakistan Army initiated a brutal action against its Bengali speaking population in the past. In early 1971, the army’s dissatisfaction began to suppress, and millions of refugees from East Pakistan started crossing in India, which led to a humanitarian crisis.
In 1971, it was not only male in uniform, but also citizens who were trained to prepare for any “hostile attacks”.
Indian soldiers on a patrol during the 1962 war
In 1971, Mumbai (then Bombay) stopped the lights for 13 consecutive nights. Being the financial capital of India, it was a goal for Pakistan.
In an article for Deccan Herald, Michael Patrao, who was in a primary school in 1971, writes, “Mock drills in my school, St. Anthony’s High School, Santa Cruz, were not far away from the airport, a possible goal, a possible goal.
The headquarters of the Western Navy Command is in Bombay, and was a strategic and strategic goal for Pakistan. According to the Times of India article, the headlights were covered with brown paper, weddings were held in the afternoon, and mock drills were being organized.
In a video of an air raid drill from Mumbai, people were shown covering a best bus and covering their head when the sound of an air raid siren came. Many people took shelter in nearby structures.
It was a similar view in many cities including Delhi. An veteran journalist Mr. Narayan Swamy writes, “L-shaped trenches were dug outside our two-room government flats in Netaji Nagar in South Delhi, so that people could take shelter in the event of Pakistani airstrikes.”
“Residents – stopping all government servants at a handful – was asked to paste thick brown or black paper on their window so that no signs of life could be visible to Pakistani pilots. It was called ‘Blackout’ and it was already implemented before the enmity of India -Pakistan.”
The Civil Defense Act of 1968 gives a foundation to make provisions for civil defense in India. According to the Act, in measures “any person against security, property, place or security of security in India or any hostile attack against any hostile attack, whether it is included from wind, land, sea or other places.” The Act established the Civil Defense Corps, which was a voluntary organization to meet the needs of civil defense.
In Ferozepur, Punjab, a blackout drill was held yesterday. The lights were closed from 9 to 9:30 pm, and the drill reminded of the 1971 war when the border district was in front of action.
The Cantonment Board Officer asked the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to cut power within the stipulated time of exercise. “The purpose of this rehearsal is to ensure preparations and effectiveness in implementing blackout processes during war dangers,” the official said.
On December 3, 1971, in a radio broadcast, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi informed the nation that Pakistan bombed several forward operating base (FOB) – Amritsar, Pathankot, Uttalai, Jodhpur, Srinagar, Avantpore, Agra and Ambala. Prime Minister Gandhi announced the war against Pakistan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3p8t9defos
On December 16, 1971, 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered in Dhaka and on the Western Front, declared a ceasefire, ending the war after two weeks.
Even Ferozepur saw action in 1971 and 1965. In 1965, 2 Maratha Light Infantry was fought against a Pakistani brigade in Hussainiva in Ferozepur district.
In 1971, 15 Punjab, along with the Indian Air Force, was deployed to protect the border, which was caught by Pakistan on 3 December. By the night of 4 December, 15 Punjab was completely withdrawn from the region, which later fell into Pakistan.
