10 Ways Every Indian Can Help Protect India Amidst The India - Pakistan War
Riya Kumari | May 10, 2025, 23:59 IST
War isn’t a single-player game—it’s an all-hands-on-deck scenario. As civilians, our role is to disrupt, confuse, and neutralize threats before they reach us. Every small tactical step you take—whether it’s controlling your light, safeguarding your communication, or detecting a bomb—helps make the enemy’s mission a lot harder. The more smart, informed, and vigilant citizens we have, the more we become an impenetrable defense. It's time to play the game—and we’re all in it together. Stay sharp, stay strategic, and remember: every move you make counts.
Be alert. Be quiet. Be ready. History has always favored the people who prepared before the attack. War isn’t just a military affair—it’s an all-out engagement that affects every layer of society, including civilians. In times of conflict, adversaries like Pakistan are looking to exploit every vulnerability, from cyber warfare to physical attacks.
Missile attacks can be deadly, but there are ways to minimize their impact. One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is through light control—during a missile attack, a lit house is a visible target for the enemy. Keep all lights off, especially in the evenings. Using fire-retardant curtains or blackout blinds can shield you from infrared missile detection, which often targets warmth in buildings.
1. In case of missile alerts, shut down all lights and cover windows with dark, thick curtains.
2. Make sure your home is designed to blend with surroundings (e.g., roof color that matches the environment, no exposed metal or reflective surfaces).
3. If possible, reinforce your home with concrete or steel, which can absorb impact and offer more protection than traditional walls.
4. Cover phone screens with red filter film at night to minimize light bleed.
5. Wrap windows, rooftop AC units, and key metal objects with aluminum foil to distort thermal signatures.
It’s all well and good to be aware of bomb threats, but what if they’re unavoidable? Here’s where real-world knowledge comes in. In the Cold War, people built fallout shelters. These weren’t just some bunker under the house. They were underground rooms, sealed off with thick concrete and a small entrance to prevent shrapnel and blast waves from penetrating. A reinforced basement with thick layers of sandbags, furniture, and concrete can save lives.
Even if you don’t have the resources for a full-fledged shelter, think of it this way: find places that give you a low-profile during a blast—under tables, staircases, or any structure with overhead protection. Create “safe zones” where heavy materials can shield you if the worst happens.
1. Designate one room in your home (ideally inner room, no windows) as a makeshift bunker.
2. Stack bookshelves, cupboards, mattresses against walls. Put water containers in corners — water absorbs heat and shrapnel.
3. Don’t run to balconies or windows. Drop flat if you’re outside. Cover head. Wait 30 seconds.
4. If living in rural or semi-urban spaces, use basements, old wells, sewage exits, or store basements to create escape networks or safe zones. Cover with junk, broken furniture, dry leaves — whatever blends in.
5. Window glass is a silent killer in bombings. Before any strike, tape windows in an “X” and cover with chicken wire or mesh netting. It catches shards and reduces injuries. Smear white soap or chalk paste across windows to reduce blast flash impact and minimize shattering.
Drones have increasingly become a weapon of choice for reconnaissance and even direct strikes. Avoid open spaces—stay low to the ground, especially during times of heightened alert. If you suspect enemy drones are in the area, try to hide your electronics, such as mobile phones or laptops, as they can be used to pinpoint your location or jam communications.
Drones make a distinct low whine (different from helicopters). Missiles come with a loud whoosh and very short delay. What to teach people
1. If you hear a drone at night circling, go completely silent and cut all power (even Wi-Fi routers).
2. If a missile sound is heard, never run toward the source — go perpendicular or underground
3. Learn to identify drone buzz — small ones hum like bees, large ones like a low chopper.
4. Occupied homes can be priority targets. What to do: No laundry hanging and No visible lights
5. Drones can track heat, sound, and movement. Limiting movement while staying low makes you harder to detect. If you suspect a drone is nearby, stay low and move in zig-zags or use alleyways to break up the visual signature.
The stability of the civilian economy directly impacts the military’s ability to operate effectively. Maintaining the flow of supplies, medical resources, and food for both soldiers and civilians ensures the infrastructure is not disrupted.
1. Boost Local Manufacturing: Support local businesses that manufacture critical supplies for the army, such as food, clothing, medical supplies, and technology.
2. Minimize Disruptions: Don’t panic-buy or hoard goods; this could create shortages and disrupt essential supply chains, which can be vital for military operations.
3. Increase Volunteer Efforts: Contribute to organizations or relief efforts that support wounded soldiers, refugees, and displaced people.
4. Keep ID, Cash (no UPI in blackouts), Water, Dry Food, Flashlight, Batteries, Basic First-Aid, Power bank (solar if possible), Radio (preferably analog) and Important medicine
War is won and lost on intelligence. Sometimes, the best defense is misdirection. Think of how intelligence operatives create confusion to hide their true movements. Flooding the digital space with false information, whether it’s through social media or word of mouth, can lead the enemy to waste resources, time, and energy chasing shadows. Share decoy plans, create red herrings, and mislead them about key assets. Remember: misinformation isn’t just for spies. It’s a battlefield tool. If the enemy is confused about your movements or intentions, they’re far less likely to hit their target.
During the German occupation of Greece, civilians used psychological resilience as a form of defense. They would frequently use misinformation and disinformation to confuse enemy forces about civilian movements or where they were hiding. They also maintained morale through secret gatherings, underground publications, and music to uplift the spirit of resistance.
In times of war, the most unlikely places can become the safest havens. Take a cue from London during World War II, where underground train stations, like the Borough station, were converted into shelters for up to 14,000 people. The city’s subway network, initially built for commuting, became a critical defense mechanism, offering refuge from air raids. Similarly, in times of crisis, repurposing available structures—like basements, underground parking lots, or large underground public spaces—can save lives and provide essential cover during attacks.
Cyberattacks are an obvious threat in modern warfare. Adversaries may attempt to hack personal information, disrupt services, or conduct espionage. Using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) is a must. It encrypts your data and makes it harder for anyone to track your online activity. It’s also crucial to disable location services on your mobile devices and apps to avoid being tracked. Turning off geotagging and disabling “find my phone” can prevent your location from being pinpointed in real-time by enemy forces.
One of the silent but deadly attacks on the civilian front is cyber warfare. Enemy agents might try to infiltrate networks, steal critical data, or disrupt supply chains. Protecting your own digital infrastructure is one way civilians can contribute to national defense. Keep software updated: This is basic cyber hygiene. An outdated software system is an open door for hackers to gain entry. Ensure that you regularly update antivirus software, use strong passwords, and change them periodically. Avoid suspicious links: Don’t click on links from unknown or suspicious sources, especially those received via email or social media. These might be phishing attempts to compromise your data.
9. Block Unknown Numbers & Restrict Sensitive Information
Terrorists or enemy spies may attempt to infiltrate your communication networks. Block all unknown numbers on your mobile devices. Only give out personal information on trusted platforms, and do not respond to unsolicited calls or messages. Also, make sure you’re using end-to-end encryption apps (like Signal or WhatsApp) to keep your conversations private. Keep in mind, your phone’s location can be tracked by adversaries—keep your phone’s tracking services off unless absolutely necessary.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is a game-changer. Monitor local news, online forums, and social media for signs of enemy activity or unusual movements. Tracking conversations in local communities, keeping an ear out for rumors, and sharing information with local authorities can give you the edge in spotting enemy cells before they can act. Use local news sources, forums, and social media to stay informed about enemy movements. Report suspicious activity to the police or intelligence agencies immediately. Share valuable information with neighbors and build a network of alert, vigilant citizens.
1. Protect Against Missile Attacks: Light Control & Shielding
1. In case of missile alerts, shut down all lights and cover windows with dark, thick curtains.
2. Make sure your home is designed to blend with surroundings (e.g., roof color that matches the environment, no exposed metal or reflective surfaces).
3. If possible, reinforce your home with concrete or steel, which can absorb impact and offer more protection than traditional walls.
4. Cover phone screens with red filter film at night to minimize light bleed.
5. Wrap windows, rooftop AC units, and key metal objects with aluminum foil to distort thermal signatures.
2. Protection from Bombs: Build Low-Cost Shelters at Home
Even if you don’t have the resources for a full-fledged shelter, think of it this way: find places that give you a low-profile during a blast—under tables, staircases, or any structure with overhead protection. Create “safe zones” where heavy materials can shield you if the worst happens.
1. Designate one room in your home (ideally inner room, no windows) as a makeshift bunker.
2. Stack bookshelves, cupboards, mattresses against walls. Put water containers in corners — water absorbs heat and shrapnel.
3. Don’t run to balconies or windows. Drop flat if you’re outside. Cover head. Wait 30 seconds.
4. If living in rural or semi-urban spaces, use basements, old wells, sewage exits, or store basements to create escape networks or safe zones. Cover with junk, broken furniture, dry leaves — whatever blends in.
5. Window glass is a silent killer in bombings. Before any strike, tape windows in an “X” and cover with chicken wire or mesh netting. It catches shards and reduces injuries. Smear white soap or chalk paste across windows to reduce blast flash impact and minimize shattering.
3. Defend Against Drones: Stay Low & Hide Your Electronics
Drones make a distinct low whine (different from helicopters). Missiles come with a loud whoosh and very short delay. What to teach people
1. If you hear a drone at night circling, go completely silent and cut all power (even Wi-Fi routers).
2. If a missile sound is heard, never run toward the source — go perpendicular or underground
3. Learn to identify drone buzz — small ones hum like bees, large ones like a low chopper.
4. Occupied homes can be priority targets. What to do: No laundry hanging and No visible lights
5. Drones can track heat, sound, and movement. Limiting movement while staying low makes you harder to detect. If you suspect a drone is nearby, stay low and move in zig-zags or use alleyways to break up the visual signature.
4. Support the Economy, Keep Supply Lines Open
1. Boost Local Manufacturing: Support local businesses that manufacture critical supplies for the army, such as food, clothing, medical supplies, and technology.
2. Minimize Disruptions: Don’t panic-buy or hoard goods; this could create shortages and disrupt essential supply chains, which can be vital for military operations.
3. Increase Volunteer Efforts: Contribute to organizations or relief efforts that support wounded soldiers, refugees, and displaced people.
4. Keep ID, Cash (no UPI in blackouts), Water, Dry Food, Flashlight, Batteries, Basic First-Aid, Power bank (solar if possible), Radio (preferably analog) and Important medicine
5. Crowd Control: The Strategic Use of False Information
During the German occupation of Greece, civilians used psychological resilience as a form of defense. They would frequently use misinformation and disinformation to confuse enemy forces about civilian movements or where they were hiding. They also maintained morale through secret gatherings, underground publications, and music to uplift the spirit of resistance.