New Delhi, May 6 -- The Centre has asked several states to conduct security mock drills on Wednesday, May 7, for "effective civil defence in the event of a hostile attack" amid tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

According to the MHA, the primary objectives of the mock drill are as follows:

* To assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems.

* Operationalisation of Hotline/Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force.

* To test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms.

* Training civilians, students, etc., on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

* Provision of crash blackout measures.

* Provision for early cam...