Kolkata Airport Conducts NSGs Full-Scale Counter-Hijack and Anti-Terror Drill
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport recently concluded an intensive overnight full-scale exercise, rigorously testing its counter-hijack and anti-terror capabilities. The National Security Guard (NSG), in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and multiple security agencies, orchestrated this comprehensive drill to enhance inter-agency coordination and refine response protocols for high-risk scenarios. Such proactive measures are indispensable for fostering secure and resilient urban environments, ensuring the safety and confidence of citizens in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The elaborate simulation commenced late on Friday, unfolding in two critical phases. The initial stage involved a meticulously staged hijack of an Airbus A320 aircraft, carrying 75 dummy passengers and crew. Upon receiving a distress signal, the Aerodrome Committee was promptly activated, directing the “hijacked” aircraft to an Isolation Bay for containment. Quick Reaction Teams from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) swiftly cordoned off the area, while negotiators from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) engaged in simulated dialogue with the perpetrators. Following the breakdown of negotiations, the NSG’s elite Counter Hijack Task Force executed a tactical intervention, successfully rescuing all simulated passengers and neutralising the perceived threats by the early hours of Saturday.
Simultaneously, a parallel exercise simulating a terrorist attack on AAI operational buildings was initiated. This scenario depicted armed intruders taking 12 staff members hostage and disabling the power supply, creating a complex and multi-faceted threat environment. Initial containment efforts by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) encountered simulated resistance, resulting in staged casualties. Once the aircraft hijack situation was resolved, the NSG team swiftly redeployed to address this second, equally critical threat. Following a comprehensive briefing from the STF, the NSG executed a coordinated strike, neutralising six simulated terrorists and successfully rescuing all hostages, concluding the counter-terror operation efficiently.
These rigorous drills are paramount for urban centres striving to achieve zero net carbon, eco-friendly, and equitable status. A secure airport is a fundamental pillar of a city’s infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity and fostering economic growth while ensuring the well-being of its diverse population. By continuously refining emergency responses and inter-agency collaboration, such exercises contribute to building a resilient urban fabric capable of withstanding unforeseen challenges, thereby enhancing public confidence and promoting a stable environment for sustainable development. The commitment to such high-level preparedness reflects a broader societal imperative to protect human lives and uphold the integrity of public spaces.
