Delhi Airport Conducts Counter Terror Mock Drill To Test Preparedness
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday turned into the centre of a large-scale counter terror preparedness drill, bringing together multiple security and emergency agencies to test aviation safety and crisis response. The simulation was designed to expose gaps, evaluate inter-agency coordination, and reinforce public confidence in India’s busiest airport.
The exercise was spearheaded by the Quick Reaction Team of the Central Industrial Security Force, with active participation from the city police, National Security Guard, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, traffic police, fire services, medical teams, and the disaster management authority. Together, they simulated a high-risk scenario, beginning with a threat alert and escalating into coordinated tactical operations to neutralise the crisis.Airport operations continued smoothly during the drill. Passengers were informed in advance, ensuring minimal inconvenience, while security personnel executed rapid deployments across sensitive zones. The drill not only assessed tactical efficiency but also evaluated the speed of communication, decision-making, and response delivery.
Officials stressed that such exercises remain essential in an era of evolving global threats. Civil aviation hubs, which are seen as prime targets worldwide, require consistent testing of security systems. “Joint drills strengthen synergy between agencies, sharpen real-time decision making, and enhance readiness against emerging threats,” said a senior official.
Security experts point out that civil aviation, as one of the most visible facets of national infrastructure, demands unbroken vigilance. With air traffic rising and India set to become one of the world’s largest aviation markets, preparedness at key airports will determine both safety standards and international reputation. Regular drills, they argue, are not about predicting the next incident but about embedding a culture of preparedness where no lapse is left untested.
The Delhi drill follows a similar high-security mock exercise earlier this year in Bengaluru, which involved state police and the army’s specialised units. These recurring exercises signal a nationwide recognition that counter-terrorism strategies must keep pace with both technological advances and the evolving nature of threats.At the conclusion of the operation, a debriefing session was held to analyse lessons learned and identify areas for improvement. The emphasis was not only on tactical success but also on ensuring that command structures, crisis communication, and emergency support systems remain agile and effective.For Delhi, a city that serves as both a political capital and an international transit hub, such rehearsals are more than symbolic. They reflect a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security, demonstrating to passengers that safety is prioritised alongside efficiency in aviation.
