The maiden edition of the combined Kerala-Lakshadweep coastal security exercise, Theera Vetta (coastal hunt), was a success with nearly every simulated attack launched from sea during the 34-hour exercise that concluded on Thursday evening being neutralised by vigilant security forces.
The combined exercise had all coastal security stakeholders joining in, a section playing the part of inimical forces launching attacks on vital platforms and installations abutting the coast while the other guarding them against intrusion.
Dynamic security scenarios, primarily arising from commandeered boats attacking land-based installations, were played out during the exercise, which witnessed spirited participation from agencies such as the Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Departments of Fisheries, Customs and Ports and DG Lighthouses and Light Ships, said sources.
Large-scale force mobilisation was done well in advance to give ample elbow room for attacking teams to plan out and launch assault. “The exercise points to the coming of age of coastal security exercises in the region. It has demonstrated the level of coordination and swiftness of response attained by the security forces in tackling emerging security scenarios,” said an official.
The Coast Guard Stations at Kavaratti and Kochi and the joint operations centre (JOC) at the Southern Naval Command here played a vital role in coordinating the massive security drill.
Coastal security exercises are progressing in such a manner that area-specific exercises currently done in various regions will soon converge into a single all-India coastal exercise taking place along the country’s coast, said the official.
