Bhubaneswar: The National Security Guard (NSG), Hyderabad hub, conducted a mock drill at Infosys Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Campus in Infovalley under the Information Technology and IT Enabled Services (IT & ITES) SEZ at Gaudakashipur and Arisol village on the city outskirts along the Bhubaneswar-Khurda corridor.
The mock drill, inside the SEZ of Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), simulated a hostage situation, involving five heavily armed terrorists.
One company each from forces such as NSG and Special Technical Unit (STU) from the Special Operation Group (SOG), two platoons of Odisha State Armed Police, local police force from the Twin City Comissionerate Police, bomb disposal squad, one unit from Fires Services and Traffic Police participated in the unique exercise.
The exercise started with five NSG commandos masquerading as terrorists. They entered the campus on June 21 through the main entrance by killing two guards. Once inside, they targeted one building and took five employees as hostages.
The local police station was informed along with Commissionerate Police. Within five minutes, two armed constables along with the local IIC reached the Infosys campus gate at Infovalley.
The IIC was briefed about the situation by the security guards incharge and he immediately deployed two armed constables near the entrance of the building to restrict the terrorist movement. After 30 minutes OSAP platoons reached the campus. These forces were immediately deployed for cordoning off the outside campus area before the Special Technical Unit of SOG reached the campus.
The STU with the local IIC and the Bomb Disposal Unit immediately posted snipers around the building at vantage points, cordoned off the building and ordered to completely blackout the area.
The STU then managed to gain access to the Software Development Building (SDB-B) from the North side emergency exit doors, sanitized three floors including killing of one terrorist and disposing of an improvised explosive device (IED).
As the rescue operation progressed, the STU faced stiff resistance with heavy casualties. That was the time, the commandant asked for intervention by NSG from the unified command, setup at the Commissionerate of Police office. The NSG Hyderabad hub was then contacted for providing necessary assistance.
A company of NSG then took-off with full battle load from Hyderabad airport and landed at Bhubaneswar. A green corridor was provided by the traffic police along with a pilot vehicle (real time).
They reached the campus and the commandos were then briefed jointly by STU commandant and head of the security, Infosys about the ground situation as well as the building layout entry/exit points.
The commandos swung into action after due co-ordination with the STU, clearly understanding their positions in and around the building including radio networking, sniper position etc.
The operation continued for three hours and finally the situation was successfully diffused and the hostages were safely rescued.
Senior officials present during the rescue mock drill ensured that the exercise was carried out successfully.
