CISF Leads Multi-Agency Mock Drill At Navi Mumbai Airport To Test Emergency Readiness

A simulated attack scenario, designed to test the capabilities of security agencies in the face of a high-risk incident, was part of a mock drill at Navi Mumbai Airport on Thursday. Security personnel and other units present included state police, airport security personnel, bomb detection and disposal units, K9 squads, intelligence agencies, and medical teams.

Mumbai: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) organised a multi-agency mock drill at Navi Mumbai Airport on Thursday to test the emergency response capabilities and inter-agency coordination of security forces and operational agencies in responding to an armed attack originating from areas surrounding the airport. Security personnel and other units’ part of the exercise included state police, airport security personnel, bomb detection and disposal units, K9 squads, intelligence agencies, and medical teams.
The drill's objective is to improve coordination, rapid deployment, and communication among security agencies and operational units during actual security threats.

Multiple security forces team up for drill

CISF, state police, NMIAL security (Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), K9 unit, Crisis Intervention Wing (CIW), operational personnel, medical experts, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) all participated in the exercise. Specialized roles were assigned to each participating agency, including locating threats, sanitising the area, controlling the crowd, and helping with evacuation and medical emergency response.

This exercise allowed authorities to effectively simulate the combined actions of all elements of the security apparatus when they might be required to do so during an actual security breach.

Goal: enhance readiness and coordination

The exercise, planned by the DIG/CASO (Deputy Inspector General/Chief Airport Security Officer), ASG (Airport Security Group), Navi Mumbai, aimed to test the security forces' ability to react in real-time in the face of the very real possibility of security threats at the airport.

The exercise enabled officials to identify potential shortcomings in communication protocols, timing of response, and inter-agency cooperation.

Post-drill briefing conducted

After the exercise, a comprehensive review was conducted by all participating units, where their response strategies were assessed, and suggestions for improvement were offered. According to officials, feedback from the participants is to be integrated into future training modules and strategies for emergency preparation.

The main objective behind this drill was to increase readiness, cooperation, and the response capability of all security units and individuals in the airport during an emergency.

In a significant step towards enhancing aviation security and emergency preparedness, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) conducted a large-scale multi-agency mock drill at Navi Mumbai Airport on Thursday. The exercise was designed to assess the readiness of various security and operational agencies in responding to a high-risk security threat and to strengthen coordination among multiple stakeholders during emergency situations.

The simulated scenario involved a potential armed attack originating from areas surrounding the airport, allowing participating agencies to test their response capabilities, communication systems and operational effectiveness under realistic conditions.

Multiple Agencies Participate in High-Intensity Security Exercise

The mock drill witnessed the participation of several key security and emergency response agencies, including CISF, Maharashtra Police, Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) security teams, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), K9 units, the Crisis Intervention Wing (CIW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), medical teams and other operational personnel.

Each participating agency was assigned specific responsibilities ranging from threat detection and area sanitisation to crowd control, evacuation management and emergency medical assistance. The exercise provided an opportunity to evaluate how different agencies work together during a coordinated response to a potential security breach.

Simulated Attack Scenario Tests Real-Time Response Capabilities

The drill was planned under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General and Chief Airport Security Officer (DIG/CASO), Airport Security Group (ASG), Navi Mumbai. Officials created a realistic threat environment to assess the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of security personnel in handling a complex emergency situation.

The exercise focused on testing rapid deployment capabilities, command-and-control mechanisms, information sharing and decision-making processes under pressure. Security teams were required to respond swiftly while maintaining seamless coordination with other agencies involved in the operation.

Focus On Coordination, Communication and Crisis Management

One of the primary objectives of the exercise was to evaluate inter-agency cooperation and identify areas where operational coordination could be further strengthened. Authorities closely monitored communication channels, response timelines and deployment strategies throughout the drill.

Officials said such exercises play a critical role in ensuring that all agencies remain prepared to respond collectively and efficiently in the event of an actual emergency, helping minimise risks to passengers, airport personnel and critical infrastructure.

Post-Drill Review Highlights Areas for Improvement

Following the conclusion of the exercise, participating agencies conducted a detailed review and debriefing session to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Feedback from various teams was collected and evaluated to enhance future emergency response protocols and training programmes.

According to officials, the observations and lessons learned from the drill will be incorporated into future preparedness strategies to further strengthen security systems at Navi Mumbai Airport.

The successful execution of the multi-agency exercise underscores the commitment of CISF and allied agencies to maintaining the highest standards of aviation security, operational readiness and crisis management as Navi Mumbai Airport prepares to emerge as a major aviation hub in the region.