The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) conducted a joint security exercise at Port Blair airfield on Wednesday with an aim to test the preparedness of all security agencies during various contingencies like terrorist attack, hostage crisis and hijack situation at the airfield or elsewhere.
The day-and-night drills were conducted at INS Utkrosh and Veer Savarkar International Airport. Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) from the Army, Navy and CISF were deployed to counter portrayed terrorist threats at various places inside the airfield. Simultaneously, special forces elements from the NSG, Ghatak platoons and Marine Commandos (MARCOS) were also mobilised for synchronised operation along with the Quick Reaction Teams.
The Andaman and Nicobar Command has recently promulgated a 'Joint Standard Operating Procedures for Security' at Port Blair airfield. These drills were designed to test, validate and fine tune the SOPs as well as improve coordination between all military and security agencies at Port Blair. The SOPs developed to effectively counter any threat on the critical airfield were also re-validated during the joint exercise.
The command was created in October 2001 with an aim of strengthening India's 'Act East' policy while enhancing capabilities to not only defend the national interests on the strategic islands and its vast associated maritime domain but to also deter inimical forces.
The geographic location of the islands, guarding India's eastern frontiers while straddling some of the world's most important shipping lanes has made them one of the most important strategic areas for the nation.
