New Delhi, May 6 -- Civil Defence Drill in Karnataka to be held only in Bengaluru and Raichur

In a move that has raised eyebrows for its timing, the Centre has directed all States and Union Territories to conduct a nationwide civil defence security drill tomorrow (May 7).

While the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) instructions to Chief Secretaries make no explicit reference to Pakistan, the drill comes close on the heels of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, heightening speculation about a possible escalation in border tensions.

The last such comprehensive drill was held in the run-up to the 1971 Indo-Pak war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.

No drill in Mysuru

Despite nationwide preparations for a major civil defence ...