Pune airport conducts annual bomb threat drill, tests coordination among security agencies

The Pune Airport conducted its annual Bomb Threat Mock Exercise in coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force and other stakeholder agencies under the Bomb Threat Contingency Plan to test emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination.

The exercise began with a Tabletop Session at 11:00 in the AAI Administrative Building conference hall, outlining simulated threat scenarios, agency roles, and communication protocols.

At 11:30, a mock drill was carried out based on a scenario in which an unidentified person informed the IndiGo Manager, Pune, about an unattended bag suspected to contain a dummy IED in the check-in area. The IndiGo manager notified the CISF Security Operational Control Room, which alerted the Quick Reaction Team and duty posts.

Passengers, staff, and concessionaires in the affected area were evacuated to designated locations. The suspect bag was covered with a Blast Inhibitor and cordoned off, followed by a series of security checks including dog squad, Explosive Vapour Detector, NLJD, Electronic Stethoscope, and Handheld RTVS.

The exercise included a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee meeting, the declaration of a Specific Threat, and the BDDS team handling the suspect bag with a Telescopic Manipulator, placing it in a Suspect Luggage Containment Vessel. After Render Safe Procedures, the bag was moved to a Safe Disposal Area for further action.

In addition to the terminal area, a dummy IED was placed in the cargo area near India Post to test cargo-area security response, and was detected by the State BDDS team. The event highlighted inter-agency coordination and the preparedness of participating agencies, including CISF, Indian Air Force, Pune Police, SDRF, Fire Services, Customs, Immigration, Health Authorities, airlines, and other stakeholders.