Delhi Police have intensified security measures across the capital, conducting extensive mock drills at key locations including Kalkaji Mandir and Nehru Place. These exercises are part of a broader strategy to bolster preparedness for potential security threats in anticipation of India’s Independence Day celebrations.
Enhanced Security Drills Underway
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the drills, which took place over the weekend, were specifically designed to evaluate the operational readiness and emergency response capabilities of law enforcement and allied agencies. The primary objective was to simulate scenarios involving terrorist attacks and bomb threats, thereby testing the coordination and effectiveness of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in critical situations.
At the Kalkaji Mandir, a major religious site attracting a significant number of devotees, the exercise unfolded between 9 pm and 12:30 am on Friday. The National Security Guard (NSG) orchestrated two simulated bomb blast incidents within the temple complex, creating a realistic environment for the participating agencies.
A mock emergency call, initiated by a beat officer and relayed through the Police Control Room, triggered the coordinated response. This activation prompted the local police and various emergency services to implement their respective protocols. The drill saw the involvement of multiple specialized units, including the NSG, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), the Bomb Detection Team (BDT), the Dog Squad, Delhi Police’s Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles and Tiger PCR units, the Traffic Police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the Delhi Fire Service, and the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS).
The Bomb Disposal Squad and Bomb Detection Team, supported by the Dog Squad, conducted thorough searches for explosives and implemented anti-sabotage measures. Concurrently, the NSG and SWAT teams engaged and neutralised simulated hostile elements as part of the drill’s scenario. A critical component of the exercise involved the swift evacuation of a simulated casualty, who was transported to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) by a PCR vehicle within a 20-minute timeframe following the mock incident.
Nehru Place Drill Assesses Urban Preparedness
A separate, but equally significant, mock drill was conducted at Nehru Place, a bustling commercial hub and a high-footfall area in the city. This exercise focused on assessing the preparedness of the police and associated agencies to respond effectively to a simulated terrorist attack and other potential emergencies within a densely populated urban commercial setting.
Similar to the temple drill, two simulated bomb blast situations were established at different points within Nehru Place. A mock PCR call served as the trigger for activating the emergency response mechanism, leading to the swift deployment of police personnel and specialized units to the designated locations. The teams immediately moved to secure and cordon off the affected areas, regulate public movement, and implement traffic diversions to ensure unimpeded access for emergency and rescue vehicles.
The NSG, SWAT team, BDS, BDT, and Dog Squad undertook systematic searches, bomb detection operations, and anti-sabotage checks. The Delhi Police PCR, Tiger PCR, Traffic Police, Delhi Fire Service, DDMA, and CATS also played integral roles in the coordinated response. The Nehru Place exercise encompassed the simulated neutralisation of hostile individuals, the evacuation of injured persons, sanitisation of the incident site, crowd management, traffic regulation, and the provision of emergency medical assistance, thereby testing the entire spectrum of response, from threat detection and containment to rescue and medical evacuation.
These drills are a standard procedure conducted by security agencies across the country to ensure readiness for major events and potential security challenges. The thoroughness of these exercises underscores the commitment to maintaining public safety and security, particularly during national observances like Independence Day.
The Chenab Times News Desk