Samdariya Mall turned into a high-stakes training ground as Operation Abhyaas unleashed mock blasts, smoke-filled chaos, and precision rescue drills to test India’s civil defence muscle
8 May 2025, New Delhi
In a simulation aimed at bolstering emergency preparedness, Jabalpur’s Samdariya Mall was the site of a mock terrorist attack on Tuesday afternoon. As part of the nationwide civil defence initiative, Operation Abhyaas, the exercise featured staged explosions, smoke, and full-scale rescue operations to test the city’s readiness for potential emergencies.
Around 4:00 PM, two controlled smoke bombs were detonated on the mall’s first floor, creating a realistic scenario of a bomb blast. The ensuing “panic” triggered immediate responses from emergency services, including the police, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and medical teams. Rescue personnel swiftly evacuated civilians, managed simulated injuries, and worked to control the mock fire, demonstrating coordinated efforts in crisis management.
Jabalpur’s Superintendent of Police, Sampat Upadhyay, highlighted the drill’s objectives: “Our teams practiced locating explosive devices, rescuing and treating the injured, controlling fires, and maintaining law and order during emergency situations.” District Collector Deepak Saxena, along with other senior officials, oversaw the operation, ensuring protocols were followed and assessing the effectiveness of the response.
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The Samdariya Mall drill was one of several conducted across Madhya Pradesh, with similar exercises taking place in Gohalpur, Sihora, and the old Gorakhpur police station. These drills are part of a broader effort to enhance disaster preparedness across the state.
Operation Abhyaas, coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, is a nationwide initiative involving 244 districts. The program aims to simulate hostile scenarios, including air raids, blackouts, and mass evacuations, to ensure civilian readiness amid rising tensions following recent terrorist attacks.
In Jabalpur, the drill also included a scheduled 12-minute blackout from 7:30 PM to 7:42 PM, during which residents were urged to turn off lights and vehicles to simulate wartime conditions. Authorities emphasized the importance of public cooperation in these exercises to effectively prepare for real-life emergencies.
