In Delhi-NCR mock drills, Indian Army is the latest addition

Indian Express

3 days ago

To ensure preparedness during emergency situations, especially before Independence Day, authorities have collaborated to conduct massive mock drill exercises across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). In one such exercise conducted last month, a new participant was the Indian Army.
With the support of the Army's Ghatak Brigade, the Delhi Police, along with over 20 government departments and units, conducted a two-day anti-terror mock drill at more than 10 key locations across the national capital on July 17 and 18.
A senior government officer said that similar anti-terror mock drill exercises have been organised over the past three years ahead of Independence Day, but the Army had never been involved until now.
'This was necessary as the threat perception in the national capital has increased over the past few months. With recent attacks on tourists and the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the need for enhanced preparedness has become more urgent. We must be ready to respond to any hostile situation,' an official source said.
'The mock drill process is structured in layers, with each participating agency assigned a specific role. However, the Army follows its own distinct approach to handling hostile situations,' the source said.
'We usually call the Army when a situation gets out of control, whether it's an anti-terror operation or a natural disaster. Authorities are preparing in advance to ensure better coordination with the Army if such a situation arises,' the source added.
Soldiers from two different brigades based in Delhi's Shankar Vihar participated in the two-day anti-terror mock drills at key locations such as the Lotus Temple, Hotel Claridges, and Hindu College of Delhi University, he said.
Another source added that fake alerts — such as bomb threats, terrorist sightings, and hostage situations — were generated during these exercises on July 17 and 18. These calls were promptly responded to, and mock operations were carried out swiftly and in full coordination by all participating agencies, including soldiers from the Indian Army's Ghatak Brigades.
He further said a colonel-level officer of the Army led the operations.
The other agencies that participate in such mock drill exercises include the local police, Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Delhi Metro, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), CATS ambulances, hospitals, bomb detection teams, bomb disposal squads, dog squads, the Crime Branch, and the Special Cell and Special Branch of the Delhi Police.
On Friday, August 1, too, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), DDMAs, and officers of the Western Command of the Indian Army have organised a multi-state integrated disaster management mock drill at 55 locations in Delhi and NCR.
This drill, Exercise Suraksha Chakra, will ensure preparedness during natural disasters like earthquakes.