Security Forces Collaborate in Mock Exercises to Enhance Emergency Preparedness
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 21, 2025, Kolkata : In a well-coordinated security exercise aimed at bolstering the response capabilities of various agencies in critical situations, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI), Kolkata, hosted a joint counter-hijack and counter-terrorism drill during the night of July 18 and the early hours of July 19, 2025.
The exercise, led by the National Security Guard (NSG), was conducted in light of past security concerns that had surfaced earlier this year when tensions between India and Pakistan had led to heightened security at airports across the country. While Kolkata’s NSCBI Airport was not directly affected by the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restrictions issued to other airports during the conflict, tight security measures had remained in place, with paramilitary forces and state police constantly monitoring the area.
On the night of the 18th, a series of mock counter-terrorism and hijacking exercises were launched to assess the preparedness of both airport security personnel and response agencies in the event of an emergency.
The first phase of the drill began at 9:34 p.m., when Air Traffic Control (ATC) received an emergency call regarding a hijacking situation involving an A320 aircraft. The aircraft, carrying 75 ‘dummy’ passengers and crew, was diverted to the Isolation Bay of the airport as part of the simulation. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) quickly cordoned off the surrounding area while the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated negotiations with the hijackers in an attempt to resolve the crisis peacefully.
When talks failed to yield results, the NSG’s Counter Hijack Task Force (CHTF) took action, launching a tactical operation to storm the aircraft. The operation, which saw the simulated rescue of all passengers and the neutralization of the “hijackers,” successfully concluded at 2:15 a.m. on July 19.
Running in parallel with the hijack simulation, a separate counter-terrorism drill was initiated at around 9:00 p.m. that same evening. The scenario involved an armed assault on Airports Authority of India (AAI) operational offices, where twelve AAI staff members were “taken hostage,” and the power supply was disabled.
The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police quickly took control of the perimeter but faced intense resistance during their entry attempt, simulating casualties among officers. After the hijack operation concluded, the NSG Task Force was deployed to handle the hostage situation. Following a detailed briefing from the STF, the NSG team executed a tactical operation that led to the successful rescue of all hostages and the neutralization of six “terrorists.” This operation was completed at 4:25 a.m. on July 19.
The exercise, which was meticulously planned and executed, involved a multi-agency collaboration, including personnel from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), CISF, ATC, state police, IB, MHA, and NSG. The drills were designed to test not only the physical preparedness of these agencies but also their ability to coordinate in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Officials emphasized the importance of refining crisis management protocols and improving communication flow across multiple agencies.
In a statement, officials from the NSCBI Airport thanked all participating agencies for their dedication to maintaining the highest standards of aviation security and ensuring public safety. They emphasized that the successful conclusion of the exercise underscored the importance of constant vigilance and readiness in the face of evolving security threats.