Ramanathapuram
In a joint operation, members of ‘blue force’ foiled the attempts of ‘terrorists’ from red force from planting ‘bombs’ at the high value targets, including the more than century-old Pamban rail bridge as ‘operation sea vigil’ began at 8 am in this coastal district on Tuesday.
As the 24 hour operation, a massive coastal security exercise, covering the coastal mainland and island territories in coastal districts began, 11 ‘terrorists’ from red force intruded via sea and mainland but the alert blue force members apprehended them and seized the dummy bombs before they reached the targets.
The intruders were on their way to plant the ‘bombs’ at the high value targets such as the historic Sri Ramanathaswamy temple and the memorial of former president A P J Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram island when the blue force members apprehended them, Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena said.
The blue force has identified 33 high value targets after dividing the coastal villages and the island into two divisions and mounted surveillance deploying Quick Response Teams (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads, two-wheeler and four-wheeler patrolling, he said.
The blue force maintained vigil in the entire coastal territory from Devipattinam to Sayalkudi in the mainland and the Rameswaram island, protecting the high value targets, vital installations and sensitive places. The upcoming thermal power plant at uppur, the installations of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Adi Jagannatha Perumal temple in Thirupullani, Erwadi Dargah were some of the high value targets identified by the blue force.
The SP said the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Indian Navy, the marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) and the district police were involved in the joint operation. A total of 780 personnel forming the blue force were deployed in two shifts to protect the identified targets, he said.
The district police were led by two Additional SPs and four DSPs, he added.
