Kochi (Kerala), March 13 A two-day coastal security exercise, "Sagar Kavach," was conducted in Kerala and Mahe, an enclave of Puducherry in the state, to assess the preparedness of various agencies against asymmetric threats originating from the sea, a defence spokesperson said on Friday.
The exercise was held from March 12 to 13 along the Kerala coast, with the participation of multiple security and enforcement agencies, the spokesperson said in an official release.
Indian Naval ships, Coast Guard surface assets, and patrol boats of the Coastal Police, Customs, Marine Enforcement Wing, and Cochin Port Authority were deployed during the exercise, it said.
According to the defence spokesperson, extensive aerial surveillance was also carried out by aircraft of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
The exercise was conducted under the aegis of Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (South), the release said.
Officials said the need to enhance multi-layered security at sea, validate the security architecture of harbours and vital installations, and deploy technology-driven surveillance mechanisms to counter threats was the key area targeted to strengthen the Coastal Security construct.
The release said that coastal security is a collective responsibility, the exercise witnessed collaboration and coordination amongst all stakeholders, with emphasis on the role of the fishing community as 'Eyes and Ears' for the security agencies.
The operation was coordinated by the Joint Operations Centre in Kochi, the nodal centre for coastal security operations and exercises, the release added.