Jammu, June 1 -- Acting upon a Centre's directive, Jammu region comprising 10 districts observed a blackout for 15 minutes (8 pm to 8.15 pm) on Saturday. Earlier in the day, the civil defence and home guard department, in tandem with SDRF and volunteers from NSS, NYK, NSC, Bharat Scouts and Guides, conducted mock drills in various places, including several places in Kashmir..

Akhnoor subdivisional magistrate Mukhtar Ahmed said, "The mockdrills were conducted to check our preparedness to meet any contingency. We created a scene of enemy shell hitting a residential area that caused death and injuries."

The SDM recalled that Akhnoor was subjected to shelling by Pakistan from May 7 to 10.

During the 15-minute blackout from 8 pm to 8.15 pm,...