KOCHI: A multi-agency counter terrorist mock exercise was successfully conducted at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) here to test the airport’s security compatibility. The drill was staged against the backdrop of terror strikes near the Srinagar Airport and other similar happenings around the world targeting vital installations, CIAL authorities said.
The Airport Security Group of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who initiated the exercise in association with contingents from Kerala Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (Thunderbolt), Rapid Response Rescue Force (RRRF), Kerala Police QRT and local police. The CISF bomb detection and disposal squads (BDDS) and state police BDDS apart from their Canine Squads were part of the exercise. About 334 personnel from various agencies participated.
The exercise simulated a terror attack on the landside and demonstrated how various agencies in coordination with the CISF’s Airport Security Group could repulse an armed aggression on the sensitive installation.The operation began at 3 pm with a message from security operations control centre (socc), on three heavily armed ‘suicide attackers’ being spotted within the city limits towards the side of the airport.
Following this, the CISF informed the other security agencies and started a coordinated combing operation. After some time, two ‘ terrorists’ were cornered in the toilet of Terminal 1 and one in the canopy area. After a 90-minute-long operation, two of the ultras were caught alive and one was shot dead. The CISF personnel exhibited a great deal of swiftness and dexterity in carrying out their assigned roles. Similarly, Thunderbolt and other specialised forces of the state police responded as per the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP).
The exercise was carried out under the supervision of M Shashikanth, Senior Commandant/CASO CIAL and A V George, Rural SP, Aluva. Sony Oommen Koshy, chief security officer, CIAL, was the observer. Post the exercise, the participants were debriefed. A concluding address was delivered by A C K Nair, airport director, CIAL. He expressed satisfaction at the entire operation and congratulated the diligent security personnel on carrying out the drill meticulously.