In view of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations on August 15, a high alert has been sounded in the national capital following specific inputs regarding potential terrorist threats. To ensure the highest level of preparedness and to test the response capabilities of various security units, the Delhi Police along with several premier national security agencies conducted a massive counter-terrorism mock drill. This extensive exercise, titled Sudarshan Shakti-V, was designed to simulate real-time terror scenarios and evaluate the coordination between different wings of the security apparatus under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Exercise: Sudarshan Shakti-V
The joint exercise, Sudarshan Shakti-V, represents the fifth edition of this annual security drill conducted in the national capital. Previously known by the name Operation All Out, this year's exercise was coordinated by the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Delhi Police Special Cell. The primary objective of this 17 hour long operation was to assess how quickly and effectively various agencies can respond to a multi-pronged terror attack in the city. The exercise commenced at 10 AM on August 7 and concluded at approximately 4 AM on August 8, involving rigorous testing of tactical and logistical capabilities.
Participating Agencies and Tactical Units
A wide array of security and emergency services participated in this large-scale operation to ensure a unified response. From the Delhi Police, the Special Cell's SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team took a lead role, demonstrating their ability to conduct rapid operations and neutralize terrorists. Other participating units included the District Police, the Bomb Disposal Squad, Traffic Police, Crime Branch, and specialized units from the IGI Airport, Delhi Metro, and the PCR (Police Control Room). National-level agencies such as the NSG, the Indian Army, and the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) were also integral to the drill, while On top of that, the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), AAI (Airports Authority of India), and DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) were involved in the exercise. Emergency and support services like the Fire Service, FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory), CATS Ambulance, and the Health Department also played crucial roles in simulating a holistic response to a crisis situation.
Simulated Terror Scenarios and Response Testing
The mock drill created several high-pressure situations at various strategic locations across Delhi to mirror potential real-world threats. These scenarios included simultaneous explosions at multiple sites, indiscriminate firing by terrorists in crowded areas, and complex hostage situations. One of the most critical components of the exercise was the simulation of an aircraft hijacking and threats involving CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) materials. These scenarios were specifically designed to test the technical expertise, the speed of response, and the tactical coordination of the responding teams under extreme and diverse conditions.
Strategic Locations Covered Across the Capital
The exercise was carried out at several high-profile and crowded locations to ensure a comprehensive security sweep of the city's diverse landscape. These included the Kashmiri Gate ISBT, the bustling hub of Connaught Place, and the Nehru Place Market. Critical infrastructure and public utility sites like Safdarjung Hospital, the Delhi Secretariat, and the JLN Stadium were also part of the drill. Also, high-security zones such as the IGI Airport, V3S Mall, and the Red Fort Metro Station were included in the simulation. Educational and religious institutions like Sanskriti School, the ISKCON Temple, and the Kalkaji Temple were also simulated as sites of intervention to ensure that security agencies are prepared to protect all types of public spaces.
Significance Ahead of Independence Day
This exercise is considered extremely significant as it comes just days before the Independence Day celebrations. The goal was to identify any gaps in the response mechanism and ensure that if multiple terror attacks occur simultaneously in the capital, the various security agencies can reach the spots quickly and work in perfect harmony to control the situation, while the successful completion of the 17 hour drill demonstrates the readiness of the security forces to handle any emergency and maintain the safety of the national capital during this high-alert period.