Exactly a decade after 26/11 terror attacks that had crippled Mumbai, a multi-pronged security exercise "Operation Sea Vigil' to test the efficacy of coastal security along the entire coastline of 7,500 km and involving all 13 states and union territories is being conducted.
"The two-day long coastal defence exercise has drawn deployment of 150 ships of Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and 40 aircraft across all four commands of Indian Navy --- Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Southern Naval Command and Andaman and Nicobar Command. The aircraft included Dornier, Advance Light Helicopter Dhruv, Chetak, and Seaking class," Indian Navy spokesperson Capt DK Sharma said.
The exercise which began on Tuesday went through the auditing process, wherein it was decided about number of personnel, selection of locations, teams from all commands were made to patrol the regions.
During the exercise, the Navy created a multi-layered security web including coverage of five nautical miles by coastal and marine police, beyond five nautical miles the areas are being patrolled by the personnel of custom, coast guard and navy.
Besides, fishermen and special forces personnel have also been inducted in the exercise.
As part of the beefing up of the coastal security, the Navy has set up a centralised command centre which is connected to all 42 radars. Naval officials said that surveillance along the coast line has also been mounted through UAVs.
The exercise will also go deeper, being spread over seaward, coastal, and hinterland areas.
Evaluation of critical areas and processes, including inter-agency coordination, information sharing and technical surveillance will be undertaken.
