Coastal Security Exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ Strengthens Maritime Vigilance in Gujarat and Daman & Diu
BILKULONLINE
Ahmedabad, Oct 19: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Regional Headquarters at Gandhinagar successfully coordinated the Coastal Security Exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ from October 16-17, 2024, aimed at enhancing the coastal and maritime security framework in the state of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman & Diu.
This marked the second iteration of the exercise for the year, focusing on refining the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and boosting preparedness across all security agencies involved.
The two-day exercise, dubbed “SAGAR KAVACH – 02/24,” comprehensively assessed the effectiveness of the Coastal Security Mechanism in place. Various key stakeholders participated, including the Indian Navy, State Police, Marine Police, Border Security Force (BSF), National Security Guard (NSG), Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), Fisheries Department, Intelligence Bureau, Port Authorities, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Indian Coast Guard led the coordination efforts, ensuring a well-orchestrated response to simulated security scenarios.
Significant assets were mobilized for the exercise, including ships and boats from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Marine Police, alongside extensive aerial surveillance conducted by Coast Guard aircraft and drones. The drills featured a variety of operational scenarios designed to enhance the synergy between agencies and improve the efficacy of the collective maritime security apparatus.
The exercise highlighted the region’s readiness to address potential threats in the maritime domain, with a focus on inter-agency collaboration and swift response capabilities. By rigorously testing and validating existing security protocols, ‘Sagar Kavach’ underscored the commitment of the Indian Coast Guard and other agencies to safeguarding the nation’s coastal areas.