In a joint security exercise, a mid-sea battle of a different kind is being waged off the Paradip Coast. The armed forces have put up a spirited show of preparedness to counter possible terror strikes, besides infiltration and sea-route smuggling in a security drive termed ‘Madad-12’.
The well-knit coordination of the three wings of the country’s Defence mechanism – Army, Air Force and Navy – was much in evidence to meet with any exigencies. “Keeping in view the strategic significance of Paradip, the Defence personnel are carrying out the exercise. It is a security drill that aims at protecting the country from nefarious activities of subversive elements. As Paradip is a major industrial hub of Odisha, such exercise is of paramount importance”, said Additional District Magistrate Surajit Das.
This coastal region with a major port is already having the Coast Guard base. Steps are underway on the part of Ministry of Defence to set up a naval base in Paradip, he added. Orchestrated efforts are being made to make the Army wings familiar with the standard operating procedures of the on-shore and off-shore security mechanism.
“The whole focus of this venture is to inculcate combative spirit among the agencies involved in coastal security. In case of any eventuality of on-shore or off-shore subversive activity, the drill would keep the forces better prepared to face the crisis”, said an official monitoring the exercise.
On Oct. 4, the Nehru Bungalow Junction witnessed the joint mock drill with Army, Air Force and Navy, putting up the security skills to counter anti-national forces with expertise. There was an assembly of large crowd which was left awe-struck by the Army security drill. Rescuing the people held hostage by terror forces from a multi-storied building was performed with a touch of realism. People were left wondering whether it was a real or mock event. The show began with sea-route chase. Then the area was besieged with armed forces. There was heavy exchange of fire following which the Army troops stormed the building. The final rescue act was enacted by Air Force copters, said Mr. Anil Mishra, Inspector of Paradip Police Station.
“The scenes of sea-route terror strike were re-enacted through the fierce mid-sea battle. Besides, infiltrating enemy forces subjugated with brute force and skill. The anti-national forces penetrated the security ring to perpetrate the Mumbai terror strike while the security personnel masquerading as terror groups were intercepted by agile and vigilant Coastal Security Forces”, the Inspector added.
The exercise, despite being mock one, was abuzz with seriousness, said the official.
The warships of the Navy and the Air Force fighter planes, besides highly improvised interceptor sea worthy vessels and army tanks, were on the job for counter-insurgency and terror strike.
“We had witnessed mock drill in the past. But this time it was lively because forces from Indian Army took active part”, said Mr. Dipti Prakash Pattnaik, a local resident.
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