Mock drill in the dark in Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 13 (ANI): In a joint exercise of night combat, personnel of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Maharashtra Police took part in the mock drill conducted in Mumbai.

The objective of this exercise was to make the personnel battle ready and counter any acts of terrorism particularly after dusk and in pitch darkness.

About 57 ATS and Maharashtra Police personnel took part in this lively exercise on Wednesday night in which they practised their marksmanship in the dark.

Maharashtra's Director-General of Police S S Virk and Chief of ATS K P Raghuvanshi led their respective squads in the exercise.

"Our duty is to train our security personnel for any adverse situation. Even if they are good at firing during the day, we will have to improve their night-time efficiency and prepare them for adverse situation taking place at night, in difficult terrain or places where vegetation or trees are there," said Virk.

Raghuvanshi said that his team members are fully prepared and vigilant to tackle any terror attack.

"We have to be vigilant of these terrorists. We don't need any input for that. On the occasion of January 26 and August 15, we are fully prepared with our eyes and ears open and to take the public in confidence," said Raghuvanshi.

Making a note of the events of 26/11, strategic manoeuvres were part of the exercise.You saw on 26/11, the terrorists struck at night, in dark. How they got out of the Victoria Terminus and how they got into Cama Hospital. So to achieve the best result in minimum time, we need regular practice. We noticed this during 26/11," added Raghuvanshi.

The 26/11 terror attacks by armed men, who landed in Mumbai by a trawler and rubber dinghies, exposed gaping holes in the country's coastal security, offshore surveillance, particularly along the west coast. (ANI)