New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) A high-intensity security drill was conducted by Delhi Police and other security agencies at more than 10 key locations in the national capital on Thursday to assess inter-agency coordination and preparedness against potential terror threats, a senior police official said.
Multiple teams from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, National Security Guard, Special Cell and other stakeholder agencies swung into action during the full-scale security exercise.
“The drills were aimed at testing real-time response to bomb explosion, hostage situations, and large-scale evacuation procedures,” the official said.
At Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), the agencies simulated a bomb blast scenario, alerted by a staged emergency call.
Responding swiftly, Delhi Police personnel cordoned off the area, while loudspeaker announcements instructed commuters and staff to vacate the terminal. Police vans and Quick Reaction Teams were rushed to the scene.
The official said that the scenario was designed to test every aspect of emergency response — from receiving a threat call to identifying and isolating the danger zone, evacuating people, checking for secondary threats and controlling a potential riot-like situation.
“The mock situation also involved handling a possible hostage crisis and coordinating with various units to rescue civilians while neutralising the perceived threat,” he said.
Specialised units like the bomb disposal and dog squads carried out anti-sabotage checks at the terminal. Metal detectors and hand-held scanners were used to frisk people, while luggage was screened using X-ray baggage scanners. Officials also inspected hotel logbooks in the vicinity to check for any suspicious entries, a standard procedure during real-life anti-terror operations.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell, which deals with counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering in the city, was also involved in the drills.
“Their presence was critical for intelligence-sharing and response coordination,” the official added.
The security teams practised rescue operations involving simulated casualties. Paramedics and Delhi Fire Services officials demonstrated the rapid evacuation and treatment of mock-injured people, simulating the process of triage and ambulance support. The coordination with emergency medical services was a key part of the drill.
The mock drills began simultaneously in different parts of the city, with each location presenting a unique threat scenario. These included unattended bags in public areas, suspicious men loitering near sensitive installations, and coordinated hoax calls made to test emergency dispatch systems.
“These drills are not only about physical preparedness but also psychological readiness, ensuring that officials are calm under pressure and the public remains informed and cooperative,” said another police officer.
The National Security Guard teams, specially trained in urban counter-terrorism operations, were also deployed at strategic points.
To involve the public, the officials laid out procedures for citizens to report suspicious objects or people. The public was urged to dial the emergency helpline number, or reach out to the nearest police station or beat officers.
Awareness announcements were made at Kashmere Gate ISBT and other places to educate citizens on red flags and reporting protocols.
The entire exercise was closely monitored by senior officials of the respective agencies. Video recordings and on-ground observations will now be analysed to assess performance, identify response gaps, and strengthen Standard Operating Procedures.
Police said that despite the large-scale deployment and visible police presence, the drills were conducted with minimal disruption to the public. The Delhi Police also appealed to citizens not to fall for misinformation or social media rumours during such exercises.
“This is a two-day exercise. Security teams will conduct such drills at other locations on Friday as well,” the official said. PTI BM BM RUK RUK
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