BHUBANESWAR: The transportation gate of Biju Patnaik Airport saw a flurry of activities on Monday. As the clock struck 10.05 am, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Odisha Police, its Bomb Disposal Squad, City Police and Airport Authority of India's (AAI) fire service personnel, swung into action to tackle a group of terrorists which had made their way in and entered the old Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Only that it was a mock multi-agency drill of CISF held at the airport. The CISF has asked all its units to hold similar exercises across airports before Diwali. The direction was issued following a tip-off that unlawful activities might be carried out in the civil airports ahead of the festival.
As per the mock drill plot, around six terrorists had launched an attack at the transport gate of the airport here and subsequently succeed in entering the Old ATC building. While the CISF personnel were the first to respond, SOG joined in. The Quick Reaction Team of CISF, SOG and other agencies involved in the operation neutralised the terrorists, who had taken an ATC official hostage.
"The objective of the mock drill was to sensitise all stakeholders regarding their roles and responsibilities in any case of emergency, and eradicate the shortcomings faced during the exercise," CISF Deputy Commandant, VVS Gautam, told The Express.