Andaman & Nicobar Command conducts major security exercise

New Delhi: The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted a major security exercise with the Army, Navy and CISF as well as special forces at INS Utkrosh and Veer Savarkar International Airport of the strategically-located archipelago. The exercise was aimed to assess and fine-tune the level of coordination between multiple agencies involved in anti-terror operations and ensure a high level of operational preparedness to effectively deal with any contingencies like terrorist attacks, hostage crisis and hijack situations.

During the drills, Quick Response Teams from the Armed Forces and the Para Military forces were deployed to counter portrayed terrorist threats. The exercise also involved participation and deployment from the NSG, Ghatak Platoons and Marine Commandos (MARCOS). Andaman and Nicobar Command is the only joint services operational or theatre command of the country which was created in October 2001. It has recently formulated a Joint Standard Operating Procedures for Security at Port Blair Airfield.

Because of Andaman and Nicobar Command's geographical location, being adjacent to the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca, and connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia, the archipelago is as one of the most important strategic areas for the nation which connects about 30 percent of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The island chain also straddles one of the busiest sea routes in the world.

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