In light of escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a critical advisory to all media outlets, urging them to avoid using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens in their programming—except for community awareness initiatives.
The advisory, issued by the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence, and Home Guards, cites Section 3 (1)(w)(i) of the Civil Defence Act, 1968. It emphasizes that unnecessary or repeated use of such sirens in news reports or general broadcasts may reduce public sensitivity to real air raid warnings, thereby jeopardizing civilian safety during genuine emergencies.
“The routine use of sirens may likely reduce the sensitivity of civilians towards the Air Raid Sirens,” the advisory warns. “Civilians may misconstrue it as a routine media sound effect during actual air raids.”
Pakistan’s Disinformation Campaign Debunked
This move comes as India continues to battle a wave of misinformation propagated by Pakistan. At a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh categorically dismissed Pakistan’s false claims of successful strikes on Indian military assets—including the S-400 system at Adhampur, various airfields, and forward artillery positions.
“India unequivocally rejects these false narratives being spread by Pakistan,” Singh stated, showing time-stamped imagery of unaffected Indian airbases to debunk the allegations.
She further reported that Pakistan has escalated hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC) through drone incursions and heavy shelling, which have led to civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. In response, the Indian Army has launched proportionate and effective countermeasures, inflicting significant damage on Pakistani military assets.
Nationwide Civil Defence Drills Ordered
In parallel, the Home Ministry has instructed all states and Union Territories to conduct mock civil defence drills. These exercises—planned for May 7, 2025—will be implemented across 244 designated Civil Defence Districts, reaching down to the village level.
The drills aim to assess and boost readiness by training civilians, students, and officials on protective measures during aerial or hostile threats. This includes operationalising real air raid sirens and preparing communities for emergency response scenarios.
