BENGALURU: Days after the Pathankot attack, a terror group struck Vikasa Soudha, taking two ministers hostage and wreaking mayhem. The difference? It was just a mock drill here in Bengaluru.
The National Security Guard (NSG) and Karnataka’s own Garuda commandos stormed the stately structure to foil a simulated hostage crisis.
The action reminded witnesses of the dramatic rescue at Nariman House and The Taj, after terrorists attacked Mumbai on 26 November, 2008.
Slithering down from the roof using ropes, the commandos fanned out on different floors of Vikasa Soudha.
The commandos quickly moved into ‘room intervention mode’ as they went looking for ministers held hostage, even as a helicopter hovered over the building to provide additional support.
The commandos’ sharp-shooting skills and close combat expertise saved the day as the terrorists were ‘neutralised.’
As employees in Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha came out to watch the action, fear and anxiety gripped unsuspecting onlookers on the roads.
The witnesses heaved a sigh of relief after it dawned on them that it was just a security drill to test the readiness of the commandos.
“About 110 from the NSG’s Hyderabad unit and Garuda commandos participated in the mock drill. The operation was led by Brigadier Ganguly,” said an NSG commando who was part of the exercise.
Such exercises are routinely conducted at spots identified as potential terror targets. Their objective is to familiarise the forces to the layout and topography. About 300 personnel drawn from the NSG, Garuda and the Internal Security Division participated in the exercise.
“The state police played the role of outer cordon in the operation. Our role was to prevent the entry of terrorists and eliminate any fleeing terrorists,” a senior police officer told reporters.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, who held a meeting with the officials of the participating groups, later said 300 potential terror targets had been identified across the state.