Mock Drill at Pune Airport Enhances Preparedness for Bomb Threats
Pune Airport conducted a mock drill to test emergency responses to bomb threats, involving multiple security agencies.
Pune, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Pune Airport held a comprehensive mock drill on Saturday to evaluate its readiness for potential bomb threats. The exercise, organized by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in collaboration with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other relevant agencies, aimed to test the response, coordination, and emergency preparedness of various organizations in the event of a bomb threat.
The drill commenced at 11 a.m. with a tabletop exercise in the AAI administrative building’s conference hall. Participants discussed hypothetical threat scenarios, responsibilities of different agencies, and communication protocols.
At 11:30 a.m., the mock drill moved to the terminal building. A simulated situation was created where an unknown individual alerted an Indigo manager about a suspicious bag in the check-in area, raising concerns that it might contain explosives.
Upon receiving the alert, Indigo management notified the CISF control room. The Quick Reaction Team then sprang into action, quickly evacuating the affected area and ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and others present.
The suspicious bag was covered with a blast inhibitor, and the area was sealed off. Various security tools, including a dog squad, Explosive Vapor Detector (EVD), Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD), electronic stethoscope, and handheld real-time viewing systems, were utilized for inspection.
The drill confirmed the presence of a hypothetical Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the bag, prompting a meeting of the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, which classified the situation as a special threat.
Subsequently, the bomb disposal squad used a telescopic manipulator to handle the suspicious bag, placing it in a secure container. After successfully completing the “Render Safe Procedure,” the bag was transported to a designated disposal area.
Additionally, a dummy IED was placed in the cargo area, where the state bomb disposal squad successfully located the explosive, showcasing their preparedness and capability.
Representatives from various agencies, including the CISF, Indian Air Force, Pune Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire Service, Customs Department, Immigration, Health Department, airline companies, and other stakeholders participated in the exercise.
Officials noted that such mock drills are crucial for airport security systems. They enhance the operational capacity of security agencies, improve coordination, and strengthen the ability to respond swiftly to emergencies.
