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Tuesday,11-November-2025
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Mock Drills In India Today: Know Timings, Locations And Answers To All Queries About ‘Operation Abhyas’

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New Delhi: Today, Civil Defence Mock Drills are being conducted in 244 districts nationwide to prepare for potential threats. Public cooperation is encouraged during these exercises, which involve various local authorities and volunteers. ‘Operation Abhyaas’ occurs at 55 locations in Delhi, while Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat also participate with specific drills aimed at enhancing disaster response readiness.

A large-scale mock drill, dubbed Operation Abhyas, will take place on Wednesday, May 7, across 244 locations in India as part of a nationwide preparedness exercise. Initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the drill aims to enhance readiness for potential India-Pakistan conflict amid rising political tensions, particularly following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The simulation will include air raids, blackouts, evacuations, and emergency rescue operations, designed to prepare both citizens and local authorities for possible war scenarios.

Drills are scheduled to commence at 4 PM, with timings varying by location. In Delhi, the drill will last from 4 PM to 7 PM; Jhansi will conduct its session at the Reserve Police Lines; Bareilly will experience a brief blackout; and in Kerala, multiple drills across 14 districts will start at the same time. Additionally, air raid simulations will occur in Visakhapatnam and sirens in Dehradun. This initiative strengthens civil defense capabilities and raises public awareness for emergencies, contributing to the Integrated Response System (IRS) to protect citizens during crises.

The central government has mandated nationwide civil defence mock drills on May 7 to prepare states and UTs for potential “hostile attacks,” particularly following the Pahalgam terrorist incident that claimed 26 lives. The drills will occur across over 250 districts in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan, triggered by a shooting in Jammu and Kashmir where terrorists, reportedly linked to Pakistan, attacked tourists.

These mock drills are designed to assess India’s readiness for emergencies such as air raids, blackouts, and evacuations, serving as crucial components of the nation’s passive defence strategy. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, maintaining optimal Civil Defence preparedness is essential given the current geopolitical landscape.

Despite public concerns, schools, colleges, banks, and government offices will remain open during the drills, ensuring daily routines continue with minimal disruption. Brief blackout drills may occur at select locations to simulate emergency shutdowns aimed at enhancing safety during potential air raids. These measures are crucial for reducing visibility and casualties in real threats.

During the mock drills, several key activities will take place as outlined by the government notice. These include activating Air Raid Warning Sirens, establishing communication links with the Indian Air Force, and manning control rooms. The drills will also involve training civilians and students on civil defense techniques for self-protection during hostile situations. Additionally, civil defense services, including firefighting and rescue operations, will be activated. Other tasks will encompass implementing crash blackout measures, camouflaging essential installations, updating defense plans, and rehearsing evacuation strategies, as well as cleaning bunkers and trenches.

Participants in the drills will include Civil Defence volunteers, Home Guards, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the National Service Scheme (NSS), local police, and students, necessitating cooperation across various agencies, with civilians potentially joining in. However, the public need not be alarmed, as the drills are a pre-scheduled exercise, not an emergency. There is currently no indication that mobile or internet services will be disrupted during the May 7 mock drills, and citizens are encouraged to remain calm and follow authorities’ instructions. The drills primarily aim to evaluate response mechanisms and preparedness for any hostile attacks.

Business

Tomato Prices In Mumbai Surge – Know What Are The Current Rates

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Navi Mumbai: The APMC wholesale vegetable market saw an increase in tomato prices by over 30 percent in first week of November as compared to the prices in October 2025. According to the report, prices of tomatoes in October were sold in APMC at Rs 16 -20 per kg and have now increased to Rs 20-28 per Kg.

The supply of tomatoes have also reduced on Monday, as report by Loksatta stated that only 2238 quintals of tomatoes arrived in the APMC Market.

According to the report, traders said that cold weather and imbalance production of tomatoes led to the increase in price, adding that in the last few days, the supply of goods from Nashik, Pune and Nagar areas also reduced.

According to the report, farmers have cautioned about crop damage caused by unseasonal rainfall and the current cold weather, stating that there is a significant chance that the produced crop’s flowers and buds will fall.

Several other reports added that the price of green peas, cluster beans have also gone up. Price of green peas increased to Rs 280 per kg, cluster beans reached Rs 200 per kg while that of Tinda (Indian round gourd) have rised to Rs 50 for 250 grams.

According to Regional Meteorological Center,Mumbai, the climate in Pune, Nashik is expected to see dry climate till November 15. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai scientist Shubhangi Bhute added that, “there are no signs of unseasonal rainfall currently. With the northeasterly winds prevailing, the temperature will drop. The weather will be dry and skies will be clear.”

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Crime

Uttarakhand man injured in Delhi blast was in Chandni Chowk for wedding shopping

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New Delhi, Nov 11: A young man from Gadarpur in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district was among those injured in the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station. The injured man has been identified as 28-year-old Harshul Setia.

According to information received, Harshul, son of Sanjeev Setia, is a resident of Saraswati Vihar Colony in Gadarpur. His father said that Harshul is scheduled to get married in February. He had travelled to Delhi with his mother, brother, and fiancee for wedding shopping. They were shopping in a lane opposite the blast site when a shard of glass from the explosion struck Harshul on the head.

Sanjeev Setia said he received a phone call last evening informing him about his son’s injury. He added that Harshul is now safe and in stable condition. Following the advice of security agencies, he declined to make further comments.

He said he is leaving for Delhi to bring his son and family back home. After Harshul’s discharge from LNJP Hospital, the family will return to Gadarpur, where he will introduce his son to the media.

Meanwhile, the white Hyundai i20 car that exploded on Netaji Subhash Marg in Delhi near the Red Fort was parked outside a mosque for nearly two hours before the incident, sources said.

The police managed to piece together the route of the vehicle by obtaining CCTV footage from the area.

The blast took place at around 7 p.m., the police said. The car then took a U-turn near the Old Delhi Railway Station and then headed towards Lower Subhash Marg.

The car slowed down at the traffic signal on Chhata Rail Chowk, and then the explosion occurred, the police said.

It is, however, unclear whether the explosion was meant to take place at the signal or the occupants intended to ram the car into the Red Fort, officials said.

The trail of the car’s ownership is also under investigation. It has been found that the car was sold several times.

The vehicle bore the registration number HR26CE7674. It was first registered in 2014 to one Mohammad Salman, a resident of Gurugram. Following this, the car had been sold multiple times.

Salman sold it to a person called Devender, following which it was sold to a person in Ambala.

The current owner of the car remains unknown, and investigators are working on that aspect.

The registered owner, however, is under arrest and being questioned.

Multiple agencies are working on the case.

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Crime

FIR lodged, 2 arrested after RJD claims poll code violation in Bihar’s Motihari

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Patna, Nov 11: Amid brisk voting for the second and final phase of Assembly elections in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday lodged an FIR against certain individuals over “circulation and distribution” of voter slips inside a polling booth in Motihari district.

Two people have been arrested for violating the model code of conduct, the poll panel said.

The matter came to light after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) flagged “flagrant violation” of electoral guidelines, allegedly by the polling agent of the BJP candidate in booth numbers 229 and 230 of Motihari Assembly.

Accusing the BJP candidate of a forced election campaign on the day of voting, the RJD, on its X handle, shared pictures and videos of voter slips being displayed in the open, with alleged intent to sway voters.

“In booth numbers 229, 230 of Motihari Assembly, voters are being deliberately shown photos and slips with election symbols inside the booth and distributed by the BJP polling agent! Similar complaints are being received from all booths in Motihari,” the party said in the post.

It also slammed the Election Commission for failing to act against violations of the model code of conduct, adding that the distribution of such voter slips with photos of candidates was not immoral but also grossly illegal.

The voter slips, allegedly distributed by the BJP polling agents to electors, reportedly carried pictures of the NDA candidate along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and also an appeal to elect the Nitish-led government again.

The ECI was quick to take cognisance of the incident and informed that a case was lodged against the violators, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

Meanwhile, the second phase of polling started on a brisk note this morning as people, including women, gathered in large numbers to cast their vote in multiple constituencies.

Good voter turnout was recorded in the morning, with more than 14 per cent of voters casting their ballot till 9 a.m.

The constituencies, which saw the highest voter turnout, included Araria (15.34 per cent), Arwal (14.95 per cent), Aurangabad (15.43 per cent), Banka (15.14 per cent), while others like Kaimur, Katihar and Nawada recorded over 13 per cent polling till 9 a.m.

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