In a hands-on move to bolster security preparedness, the Goa Police orchestrated a mock drill near the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church in Old Goa. The exercise, carried out on November 22, 2023, at 12:15 pm, simulated a scenario involving the capture of two dummy terrorists and the successful neutralization of a dummy bomb found in a bag.
The mock drill was strategically organized under the guidance and instructions of the SP North and other senior officials of the Goa Police, in anticipation of the upcoming Novenas and Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa.
Multiple branches of law enforcement and emergency response units participated in this elaborate exercise, including the Old Goa Police, Anti-Terrorist Quad (ATS), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Dog Squad, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Health Department.
Despite the presence of approximately 800 people comprising tourists and devotees at the time of the drill, an efficient evacuation plan ensured their safe removal within a mere 7 minutes, executed without causing any panic or distress. The entire mock scenario, from the evacuation to the neutralization of the simulated threat, was successfully concluded within a commendable 22-minute timeframe.
