Operation Abhyaas: Civil defence drill held in Bengaluru and Raichur

Stakeholders conduct civil defence exercise Operation Abhyaas in response to MHA directive, emphasizing coordination and preparedness.

In response to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive to conduct drills, various stakeholders on Wednesday conducted the civil defence exercise, Operation Abhyaas, at the Civil Defence Headquarters at Ulsoor here.

Multi-disciplinary teams comprising Civil Defence, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Response Force, medical teams, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Central Reserve Police Force, Intelligence Bureau and the Bengaluru city traffic and law and order police took part in the drill which began at 4 p.m.

Among the exercises conducted at the drill were water rescue operations at Ulsoor lake by a civil defence team, high-rise building fire rescue using Fire Services vehicles, water tenders, rope suspension, and stretcher methods.

Besides, building evacuation drills for trapped individuals, coordination between Civil Defence, SDRF, Fire Services, and Home Guards for search and rescue operations were also part of the drill.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who witnessed the drill, said a similar situation arose in 1972.

“We can recall the incidents that took place in the country then. We have come across a similar situation now. The recent incident in Kashmir has hurt every Indian. Twenty-six people were attacked indiscriminately. It hurts when innocent people and children are killed,” he said.

He said that due to the prevailing situation between India and Pakistan there is a need to prepare for drill like this.