In a rare and patriotic gesture, a groom from Bihar postponed his wedding by over two hours to take part in a nationwide civil defence mock drill, reflecting his commitment to the country amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

The incident took place in Purnia district, where Sushant Kushwaha was all set to leave for his wedding procession at 6 PM on Wednesday. The destination was his bride’s home, 40 km away in Araria. However, instead of setting out with his baraat, Kushwaha stayed back to participate in a mock airstrike and emergency drill under Operation Abhyaas, a civil preparedness exercise.

“I’m proud to be part of this drill. Even though it’s my wedding day, the nation comes first. Today, our army also struck terrorist camps in Pakistan — it’s a proud moment,” Kushwaha told NDTV.

The groom had informed his family a day earlier that he would be joining the drill, as Purnia was one of 244 districts selected for this massive security operation.

Operation Abhyaas included simulated air attacks, rescue missions, and emergency response drills across India, aligning with Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives on April 22.

After completing the drill, Kushwaha quickly returned home and joined the wedding procession around 8 PM. He emphasized that there was nothing extraordinary about his decision. “If soldiers can leave their wedding to fight for the country, so can we, if duty calls,” he said.

This unique moment has caught national attention, with many hailing Kushwaha as an example of patriotism and civil responsibility.