Measures include air raid warning sirens and the training of civilians

The Indian Home Ministry has ordered several states to hold mock security drills on May 7 in order to ensure effective civil defense in the event of a hostile attack, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Monday.

The drills come amid tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the April terrorist attack in Kashmir.

The measures reportedly include the use of air raid warning sirens, the training of civilians and students on protective civil defense protocols and the implementation of crash blackout procedures, according to the report.

The states have also been asked to conceal critical infrastructure and installations with camouflage and to rehearse evacuation plans for quick and coordinated emergency responses. Such drills are being held in India for the first time since 1971, when they were introduced amid the struggle for Bangladeshi independence.

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modigavethe country's armed forces "full operational freedom" to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India's response to the attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.

Since then, Pakistan has said it has test launched a Fatah series short-range surface-to-surface missile as well as the Abdali Weapon System, which has a range of 280 miles.

On Saturday, Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, told RT that the country would respond with its "full spectrum of power" if India attacked it or disrupted vital water flows. Jamali was referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, a key agreement between the countries from 1960 to share the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries.

Earlier on Monday, Modi met the country's defense secretary to review India's military preparedness and strategy.

The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors have fought four wars since both gained independence from the UK in 1947.

Russian President Vladimir PutincalledModi on Monday and condemned the Kashmir terror attack; he "conveyed deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, in a Saturday call with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar said Moscow was ready to assist New Delhi and Islamabad in resolving their differences if there was "mutual interest" from both sides.

(RT.com)