Operation Hamla, a 48-hour anti-terrorism security drill began today across coastal Tamil Nadu which aims at testing the security preparedness of the police.
Led by the Coastal Security Group of Tamil Nadu Police, the exercise which began at 8 am today covers the entire 1076 kilometres of the State's lengthy coast beginning from Tiruvallur District and ending in Kanyakumari District, a top police official said.
Under the mock drill, commandos masquerading as intruders use the sea route to enter land and would attempt to attack vital installations and police personnel would have to neutralise them before they go ahead with their plan.
"24 fast interceptor (police) boats are involved in this exercise with the involvement of Coast Guard and Naval personnel besides our Marine Police and other departments like the Customs and Fisheries," ADGP, TN Coast Security Group, C Sylendra Babu told PTI.
In reply to a query, he said "this is the 11th exercise and we are happy that fishermen are sensitised on the need to remain vigil and, in this round too several of the intruders (commandos) have been apprehended with their support on the seas."
So far, intruders have been detained in Ennore (13), Tuticorin (10), Kalpakkam (5), Nagapattinam (6), Rameswaram (6) and Kanyakumari (6), indicating the preparedness of the police personnel, he said.
Intense sea patrolling, checking of vehicles in check-posts near the coast and frisking suspicious persons were part of the operation.
