Pune Airport Conducts Counter-Terrorism Mock Exercise

Pune Airport Conducts Counter-Terrorism Mock Exercise
Pune, 09 August 2025
In line with the ongoing emphasis on aviation security preparedness, Pune Airport conducted a full-scale Counter-Terrorism Contingency Plan (CTCP) mock exercise on 09 August 2025, simulating a terrorist attack scenario at the terminal building (city side).
The exercise, held from 1150 hrs to 1238 hrs, involved 258 personnel from multiple agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Airports Authority of India (AAI), State Police, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Indian Air Force (IAF), Immigration authorities, and airline representatives.

Pre-Exercise Activities:
Prior to the field drill, a tabletop exercise was conducted at the New Conference Hall with participation from all stakeholders. At 1115 hrs, respective team leaders briefed their teams on roles and responsibilities. This was followed by an operational briefing by the Senior Commandant/CASO, CISF, in the presence of the Airport Director, Pune Airport.
Mock Scenario:
The simulated incident commenced at 1150 hrs near the Departure Gate. As per the scenario, four terrorists, arriving in a vehicle armed with firearms and explosives, attempted an armed assault on the terminal building.
Responding swiftly, all agencies acted in coordination as per established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The BDDS team confirmed the presence of explosives, which were subsequently neutralized. Security forces successfully eliminated all four simulated terrorists during the course of the operation.

Outcome and Debriefing:
A detailed debriefing was held immediately after the exercise, during which the CASO/CISF highlighted operational observations, identified shortcomings, and recommended remedial measures to further enhance preparedness.
The drill served as an important measure to:
• Test and refine inter-agency coordination during high-threat situations.
• Validate existing contingency plans and SOPs.
• Build operational confidence among participating forces.
The Airports Authority of India and CISF reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the highest level of airport security to ensure the safety and confidence of passengers and stakeholders.