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Neptune exercise proves need to set up quick reaction base

KOCHI: Neptune II, a coastal security exercise held from September 14 to 16, has proved that the setting up of a Quick Reaction Team base at Kavaratti will enhance coastal security, Commodore M.R. Ajayakumar said at a briefing here on Wednesday.

Such a base can thwart amphibious attacks. The awareness among the public had increased. The exercise is the second one in a series. As many as 13 agencies, including the Army and the Air Force, took part.

Only 11 of the 36 islands in Lakshadweep are inhabited. It is essential to step up security in the area, Coast Guard Deputy Inspector-General B.K. Loshali said.

Increasing surveillance of uninhabited islands, positioning of air assets at Lakshadweep, strict implementation of access control at the embarkation and disembarkation points, establishment of watchtowers and radar chains, acquisition of more vessels etc were suggested by the agencies which took part in the exercise.

Exercise

The personnel were divided into two groups — one posing as decoys and the other group defending the islands. Four ships, INS Shivalik, INS Nireeshak, ICGS Samar and ICGS Kasturba Gandhi were involved in the patrolling of the area.

ICGS Annie Besant and INS Bangaram acted as mother ships for the attacking team. All the attacking elements were successfully neutralised by the coastal defence force during the exercise, signifying considerable progress in the crystallisation of the coastal defence architecture, Mr. Ajayakumar said.

The exercise pointed out the loopholes in the mechanism and steps are in place to plug these, he said. The dweep panchayats and the island vigilance Committees also played an important role in successfully countering the mock attack during the 49-hour exercise.

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