Comprehensive coastal security exercise concludes

A three-day comprehensive coastal security exercise 'Theera Veta' involving multiple security agencies conducted along the entire coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep, Minicoy islands and Mahe, concluded today.
The exercise which began on November 17 concluded today. A similar exercise was earlier conducted this year from April 28 and 29.
In comparison to the last exercise, the duration of the exercise was extended from 36 hours to 48 hours in order to achieve fruitful results and check the effectiveness of the security arrangements for prolonged duration, a Navy release said here.
As part of the exercise, infiltration and landing through coast was attempted and the efficacy of the patrols by various maritime agencies was tested, it said.

The exercise was aimed to evaluate interoperability and coordination between integrated maritime security agencies in intelligence gathering, surveillance and provide anti-terrorism defence and counter insurgency, it said.
Twelve ships, three aircraft each from Indian Navy and the Coast Guard, besides five boats each of Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement Wing, State and U/T administration, Police and IRBN, Fisheries Department, Intelligence Bureau and Custom, participated in the exercise, Navy said.
Cochin Port Trust, Director General Light House and Light Ships, Department of Port,Shipping and Aviation at Lakshadweep Islands and fishermen association as well as fishing communities of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands and Mahe (Puducherry) also participated, it added.

The entire exercise was coordinated by the Coast Guard and monitored at the Joint Operation Centre at the naval base here.