NSG, HP Police hold 3-day counter-terror exercise

Shimla, August 31

As many as 17 officers and 150 other ranks of the Counter-Terror Task Force of the National Security Guard and over 200 personnel of the Himachal Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Bomb Disposal Team, quick response teams, Home Guards, State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), Kullu district administration, fire and emergency services and the Health Department participated in a three-day joint counter-terror mock exercise at Kullu and Kasol held from August 28 to 30. The NSG organised the exercise in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Police and other government agencies of the state.

The aim of the comprehensive mock exercises in sensitive locations of Kullu district was to test the preparedness and improve upon various aspects of responses from multiple stakeholders, who get involved during a contingency situation.

The exercise was also an opportunity to streamline coordination and inter-operability between the Himachal Police and the NSG by enacting various scenarios involving active shooting in built-up areas, hostage negotiation and rescue, suicide attacks, sniper incidents, abduction of high-value targets and tourists, activation of green corridors and drone surveillance, post-operation search, bomb detection and disposal, etc.

At the conclusion of the joint exercise, a debriefing was organised for the nodal officers of all participating agencies to discuss the lessons learnt, with focus on improving the operational preparedness.