Puri police perform anti‑terror mock drill ahead of Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: With the annual Rath Yatra just days away, Puri police on Wednesday staged a full‑scale anti‑terror mock drill to test preparedness against potential security threats and sharpen emergency-response measures.

Odisha disaster rapid action force, national disaster response force, healthcare professionals and the special tactical group’s anti‑terror squad also joined the drill.“With lakhs of devotees expected this year, foolproof security remains our foremost priority. These simulation exercises help us identify gaps, strengthen coordination and ensure readiness across agencies," Puri superintendent of police (SP) Prateek Singh said.The counter‑terror drills were carried out at sensitive points including the Jagannath Temple, on Grand Road and at major hotels.

Officials said the objective was to achieve seamless coordination among police, fire services, disaster response teams, healthcare units and tactical squads to prevent confusion during real emergencies, if any.“It is vital to act swiftly and in unison in any unforeseen situation. We created scenarios based on real‑life conditions to test preparedness, inter‑departmental coordination and rescue efficiency,” Singh said.

The exercise involved deployment of forces, inspection of suspicious sites, bomb-disposal procedures, dog-squad searches, evacuation of injured persons, medical assistance and evaluation of command-and-control systems.The simulation came two days after chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed police to ensure flawless arrangements for the festival. To bolster security, Odisha police have stationed Rakshak, an armoured bullet‑proof vehicle capable of withstanding artillery fire and explosives, outside the Jagannath Temple.‘We are maintaining continuous coordination with intelligence agencies, central security forces, NSG and the district administration. With modern technology, trained personnel and a robust emergency response system, extensive preparations are in place,” the SP said.