JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal
Mock drills and blackout exercises will be conducted at various locations in Poonch district from April 20th to 24th to assess security preparedness. According to an order issued by the administration, the purpose of these exercises is to test the response capabilities of security agencies, administrative departments, and the public in emergency situations.
In this regard, Assistant Commissioner of Revenue Mohammad Syed has issued necessary guidelines to all departments. The order states that blackouts will be conducted at scheduled times in certain sensitive and important areas of the district, and security arrangements will be reviewed through mock drills in various situations.
According to the administration, this entire process is part of regular security protocols and is intended solely to ensure that the administration and security agencies can respond quickly and effectively in case of any emergency. Officials have clarified that people should not pay attention to any rumors or misinformation.
The mock drill and blackout sparked widespread public discussion. In response, Tehsildar Haveli Azhar Majeed, ACR Mohammad Syed, Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma, and Poonch Haveli MLA Aijaz Ahmed Jan jointly appealed to the public not to panic and maintain complete calm.
Officials stated that the exercise was part of routine security preparations. There was no threat or cause for concern. The administration advised residents to consider any power outages or increased security activity during the exercise as normal.
Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma stated that the administration was fully committed to the district’s security and public convenience. He stated that all necessary preparations had already been completed, and the relevant departments had been instructed to remain vigilant to deal with any eventuality.
MLA Aijaz Ahmed Jan appealed for public cooperation, emphasizing the role of ordinary citizens in making the security exercise a success. He urged people to follow the guidelines issued by the administration, avoid rumors, and immediately report any suspicious information to the administration or police.
The administration also clarified that efforts will be made to minimize disruption to schools, markets, and normal life during the mock drill. However, traffic or power outages may be affected in some locations for a limited period. Therefore, people are urged to remain patient.
This type of mock drill is considered extremely important for security in the district. The administration states that conducting such exercises periodically can ensure better coordination and faster response in emergency situations.
The administration finally reiterated that the situation in the district is completely normal and that people should not believe any rumors.
