Chandigarh: As part of heightened security measures ahead of Independence Day, Chandigarh Police Saturday conducted a comprehensive security drill at the Hyatt Hotel in Industrial Area Phase I to assess emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination in the event of a bomb threat.The exercise was based on a simulated input about the presence of a suspected explosive device inside the hotel. Acting swiftly, commandos from the operations cell evacuated the premises, secured the area and launched a coordinated search operation. The hotel was cordoned off while teams carried out systematic checks.During the search, a dummy improvised explosive device (IED) planted in an open area near the RBR building was located by joint search teams. The bomb disposal squad and dog squad examined and secured the device as per prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs). Following its recovery, the entire hotel premises was searched again and declared safe.The drill aimed to evaluate the preparedness, response time and coordination among police and emergency response agencies in dealing with a potential terror threat. Participating agencies included the operations cell’s quick reaction team (QRT), PCR units, Dial-112 emergency response teams, the fire department, civil defence, bomb disposal squad, dog squad, mobile forensic team, district crime cell, crime branch, Industrial Area police station, and ambulance teams from Govt Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, and Police Hospital, Sector 26.As part of the exercise, the dummy IED was transported under police escort in a specially designated sand-filled vehicle to the Police Lines grounds in Sector 26 for safe disposal in accordance with established safety protocols.Police officials said the drill was conducted successfully and helped test operational readiness, response mechanisms and coordination among agencies responsible for handling emergency situations and ensuring public safety during the Independence Day security period.
