Intensified security arrangements were in place across the State since early Wednesday following an alert that armed ‘terrorists' would try to infiltrate through sea or land routes and ‘attack' vital installations.
While the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard moved its vessels along the coast, the Coastal Security Group hired a number of fishermen boats and deployed them strategically, police sources said.
‘Operation Hamla', an elaborate exercise to test the level of preparedness of security agencies in the event of a terror attack, commenced in Chennai late on Tuesday night.
As part of the mock drill, armed commandos drawn from different agencies would try to reach target places, including places of worship, malls and railway stations, in the guise of terrorists.
An official of Coastal Security Group said a large number of boats were deployed along the coastline to prevent ‘terrorists' from taking the sea route. “We have managed to intercept some armed persons at Colachel. More interceptions were expected to take place tonight as police have specific information on the movement of strangers in some areas. We are working in liaison with the coastal security agencies,” he said.
In Chennai, Commissioner of Police (in-charge) Sanjay Arora held a high-level meeting with officials of various departments to discuss relief and rescue operations in the event of a real time attack. Police check-posts were set up at 67 places in the city. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Quick Reaction Team and Quick Reaction Unit personnel were stationed strategically.
A special interrogation cell was established on the premises of the Police Commissioner's office. Security was stepped up at malls, beach, harbour and other areas of public gathering. The police managed to intercept two commandos at the Kasimedu fishing harbour, four at Pattinapakkam and four at Neelankarai who were trying to reach specific targets.
“It is a serious effort to ascertain and analyse the level of preparedness. His is also a test to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that is to be activated at times of exigencies. After the operation, we will work backwards and see where things went wrong and try to rectify them. As of now, police have managed to intercept the suspects,” Director General of Police Letika Saran said on Wednesday.
