Mock Drills to Tackle Paris-Like Strike in Delhi

[Zarvan]

NEW DELHI: Don't panic if you see "terrorists" firing indiscriminately from assault rifles on Delhi's streets and commandos rappelling from helicopters on the rooftop of a hotel to rescue "hostages". This could well be part of an anti-terror drill proposed by the national security adviser to check preparedness of the security agencies.

In view of the looming threat from the Islamic State, NSA Ajit Doval has asked the National Security Guard (NSG) to conduct an exercise, which could help the agencies thwart a Paris-like attack. NSG officers, along with Intelligence Bureau sleuths, met Delhi Police commissioner B S Bassi on Friday to discuss the details of a first-of-its kind drill to be carried out in the capital. Officers from the special cell also attended the meet.

TOI has been reporting on the threat posed by IS and its affiliate groups. Apart from them, movements of Al Qaida's Indian Wing (AQIS) members were also noticed by the intelligence agencies after the Mali attack.

The first part of the plan involves making an assessment of the gadgetry and weaponry, which will be dispatched to the crisis spot. The second part involves creating a similar situation like Paris and having commandos to foil the "attack". Fake "shooting" will be carried out at pubs, stadium, aero city and streets chosen by the special cell and IB sleuths, sources said.

In view of the looming threat from the Islamic State, NSA Ajit Doval has asked the National Security Guard (NSG) to conduct an exercise, which could help the agencies thwart a Paris-like attack.

Though Delhi Police carries out similar mock drills at regular intervals, cops are likely to act as secondary units in case of an actual attack. It is the NSG and special weapons and tactic squad (SWAT) teams who will tackle the situation.

While these units carry out drills on their own, they don't usually do it at places that could become terror targets. Therefore, NSA asked the IB officials to coordinate with NSG and Delhi Police to prepare an detailed action plan and check the preparedness of the commandos.

According to the plan, the shooting and controlled explosion will be carried out at "hot spots" and a team of evaluators will be spread across the venues. These evaluators will keep track of things like the time taken to relay the message to PCR and the police brass about terror strikes.

This will be followed by an assessment of the response time of NSG commandos and SWAT teams.

Once the commandos arrive, their air-drop time and the time taken in entering the affected hotel/stadium and neutralizing the target will be calculated. A central control room will be set up to ensure proper coordination among all units.

Mock drills to tackle Paris-like strike in Delhi - The Economic Times