What to know as India prepares for a nationwide security drill amid rising tensions with Pakistan

As tensions continue to escalate between India and Pakistan following the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government is preparing for a sweeping nationwide security exercise scheduled for tomorrow. In a significant move, this drill—believed to be the first of its kind in over five decades—includes stringent blackout protocols, according to instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to all states and Union Territories.

Why Blackouts Are Being Implemented

The blackout measures are drawn from an official civil defence document titled General Principles of Civil Defence in India, issued in 2003. It outlines the purpose of these lighting restrictions during wartime or aerial threats. The document states that complete darkness makes it more difficult for enemy aircraft to navigate and target locations accurately at night, increasing the psychological strain on enemy pilots flying at high speeds. The goal is to eliminate any visible light from the ground that could be spotted from an altitude of 5,000 feet in clear weather conditions.

Instead of switching off all lights at once, the directive suggests a phased implementation of lighting restrictions. The rules apply not just to public infrastructure like streetlights and factories, but also extend to private vehicles and commercial advertising displays—especially in densely populated and economically vital urban zones.

Lighting Rules During the Blackout

According to the draft blackout protocol, the objective is to maintain enough minimal lighting for public movement while ensuring aerial invisibility. For instance, streetlights must be dimmed significantly, with beams directed only downward. Light emitted from each lamp post must not exceed the intensity of a 25-watt bulb seen from a distance of 20 feet, or a hurricane lantern viewed from six feet away.

Indoor lighting is subject to strict conditions as well. Any artificial light inside buildings must be completely shielded so that neither direct rays nor reflections escape the structure. The directive specifies that no light—either from within or reflected from surfaces—should be visible from outside. Illuminations for decorative or commercial purposes, including billboards and neon signs, are strictly prohibited.

Vehicle and Torchlight Regulations

Vehicles are expected to follow detailed lighting protocols to comply with blackout standards. Headlamps must be covered using one of three methods prescribed in the civil defence manual. One method involves taping dry brown paper across the headlamp glass—one layer on the bottom half and two on the top—so that only a dim light shines through the lower portion. Another technique uses a cardboard disc behind the glass with a narrow slit (1/8 inch wide) slightly below the bulb’s center to allow minimal light to escape.

Reflectors inside the headlamp units must also be concealed to prevent any beam reflection. These precautions aim to allow necessary vehicular movement while maintaining an overall low light profile. Handheld torches are not exempt; they, too, must be wrapped in paper to reduce illumination.

Understanding Air Raid Alerts

The same 2003 document also outlines how India would respond to enemy aerial attacks through a four-tier warning system, coordinated by the Indian Air Force in tandem with civil defence authorities. Upon detecting hostile aircraft, the Air Force transmits information to regional civil defence centres, which relay it to urban control rooms. These centers then implement alert procedures and initiate protective measures.

There are four levels of alerts:

1. Air Raid Message – Yellow: A confidential preliminary warning indicating possible enemy aircraft movement. Issued to civil defence units only, it allows them to prepare without causing public panic.

2. Air Raid Message – Red: A more urgent alert signaling that enemy planes are nearing targeted locations. Civil defence services are instructed to act, and public sirens may be activated to warn civilians.

3. Air Raid Message – Green: Issued once the immediate threat has passed—either because the aircraft have withdrawn or are no longer within striking distance.

4. Air Raid Message – White: A confidential cancellation notice that nullifies a previously issued Yellow alert if the suspected threat does not materialize.

This coordinated messaging system ensures maximum preparedness with minimal public chaos, especially during high-stress periods such as the current one, where regional tensions and terror threats converge. The unprecedented nature of tomorrow's drill, alongside these wartime-era protocols, underscores the seriousness with which the Indian government is treating the current security climate.