Paradip, Sept 4: A large-scale coastal security exercise titled ‘Sagar Kavach-2’ was successfully conducted along the Odisha coast on September 3 and 4, bringing together 18 central and state agencies to test and enhance the region’s maritime defence preparedness, officials said on Thursday.

The two-day drill, coordinated by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, simulated real-time threats to evaluate surveillance, response, and coordination capabilities across agencies. Participating forces included the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Marine Police, Forest and Fisheries Departments, Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Police, Customs, Immigration, Intelligence, and Fire Services.

While the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Fisheries Department patrolled the deep sea up to 100 nautical miles from the shore, inland operations were managed by CISF, Paradip Port, Immigration, and other state-level agencies. The exercise aimed to identify gaps in coastal security and reinforce inter-agency collaboration.

Officials stated that ‘Sagar Kavach-2’ was designed to simulate infiltration attempts and test the readiness of security forces to detect and neutralize maritime threats. Local fishermen were also sensitized ahead of the drill and trained to report suspicious activity, including the presence of foreign nationals or unidentified vessels.

Smruti Ranjan Kar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Paradip, said, “This exercise enhances our surveillance and detection capabilities while revalidating communication systems among agencies. It is a crucial step in ensuring coastal safety.”

Initiated in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Sagar Kavach series is conducted biannually to bolster India’s coastal security architecture. Post-drill assessments will be submitted by participating agencies to further refine operational strategies and improve real-time response mechanisms.

With Odisha’s strategic location and active ports, exercises like Sagar Kavach-2 are vital to maintaining national security and safeguarding maritime borders.

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