Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of forthcoming Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier and with upcoming events like International Film Festival (IIFI), Christmas and New Year celebrations, massive joint counter-terrorism exercise was successfully conducted from October 23 to 25 by the elite counter-terrorist force of the nation the National Security Guards (NSG), Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Goa Police with the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral as key focus areas.
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“The exercise is held every year to asses the capabilities of the men in uniform and this year is extra special because of the Exposition,” said Superintendent of Police (SP), ATS, Edwin Colaco
The serious exercise involved 400 commandos from ATS and NGS aimed to enhance the preparedness and coordination among all stakeholders involved in security operations in the State.
“Four vital installations including the Goa State Central Library, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, and Double Tree by Hilton were identified for the exercise in North Goa. This was critical in achieving several goals, including streamlining drills, tactics, and procedures for counter-terrorism operations, while also evaluating the security of vulnerable and high-profile locations in the city,” said the SP.
The mock exercise involved a range of realistic terrorist strike scenarios, where all levels of responders—from initial action teams to the deployment of the State ATS and the final intervention by the federal counter-terrorism force NSG—were put to the test.
The coordinated response to multiple potential attacks, including the simultaneous activation of several targets, was practiced by various agencies to improve the Counter-Terrorist Grid.
The specialised units of the Goa Police and civil administration played a pivotal role, fully integrated into the operations, rehearsing critical functions such as casualty management, traffic control, and logistical support, ensuring that all aspects of counter-terrorism preparedness were thoroughly tested.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference Superintendent of Police (SP), ATS, Edwin Colaco said, “We assessed our own capabilities in this exercise which was held at four different locations. We assessed our own capabilities. The NSG helped us to augment our capabilities and this exercise gains significance because of the forthcoming exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier.”
“The drill was conducted onshore as well as offshore. The state coastal police was also involved in it. The composite strengthen of both the sides would be around 400. The exercise gains importance because of the forthcoming exposition where we have been able to assess our own capabilities. The ATS is adequately equipped and this has been experience by the NSG also,” he said.
