India, May 6 -- The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday directed all states and union territories to conduct mock drills to address "new and complex threats". The direction came amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.

The ministry's statement said the drill will be carried out at the 244 categorised civil defence districts across the country on May 7.

The home ministry's notification said the mock drills will check preparedness for the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens and train civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack" and clean bunkers and trenches.

The mock drills will also cover crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installat...