In an effort to test and enhance the coastal defence preparedness, a two-day security exercise titled ‘Sagar Kavach-2’ was held on September 3 and 4 along the Odisha coast, officials said on Thursday.
The drill involved 18 central and state government agencies, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Marine Police, Forest and Fisheries Departments, Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Police, Customs, and Immigration, the official said.
The exercise was split into sea and land operations. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, and the Fisheries Department patrolled the deep sea within 100 nautical miles from the coast while the CISF, Paradip Port Authority, Immigration, Odisha Police, Intelligence and Fire Services managed operations on land, they added.
Fishermen also participated and were trained on how to report any suspicious foreign national activity or individuals in deep sea to the officials.
Smruti Ranjan Kar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Paradip, said, “The exercise is designed to enhance surveillance, detection, and neutralization capabilities against potential maritime threats. It also helps revalidate communication systems and coordination among security agencies.”
In a post on X today, Jagatsighpur Police wrote, “Extensive sea patrolling by Jagatsinghpur Marine Police Station was carried out during the coastal security exercise Sagar Kavach to ensure effective surveillance and maritime safety.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Additional DG of Coastal Security, Arun Bothra s, “We conduct the ‘Sagar Kavach’ exercise twice a year…We form a raiding team and a counter-raid team to neutralise this raiding team. It will be held on 3 and 4 September…All the available assets are participating in this…After the exercise, a debriefing session is held to review the team’s successes and failures…”
The ‘Sagar Kavach’ series of drills, which were initiated after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, are conducted twice a year to ensure that security agencies are prepared and coordinated to prevent maritime terrorist infiltration.
