The two-day joint coastal security exercise, ‘Sagar Kavach-2’, commenced along the coastlines of Odisha and West Bengal with the participation of multiple Indian defence, paramilitary, and civilian agencies.

This large-scale drill included the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Marine Police, Forest and Fisheries Departments, Customs, district administrations, Paradip Port authorities, and representatives from industrial establishments.

The exercise was designed to simulate seaborne terrorist threats, where the forces were divided into two teams: the Red Team acted as infiltrators disguised as terrorists attempting to breach coastal defences by entering through waterways, mingling in urban and rural areas, and planting dummy explosives at sensitive locations.

The Blue Team was tasked with intensified patrolling, surveillance, and operations to detect and neutralise these simulated threats.

Prior to the drill, local fishermen in Paradip and surrounding areas were sensitised through awareness drives and public announcements over four days. They were advised to carry valid identity cards and registration documents for their trawlers and urged to report any suspicious activities immediately to security personnel.

The exercise aimed to evaluate and expose potential gaps in the coastal defence system, enhance inter-agency coordination, and strengthen the real-time response mechanisms along the eastern coastline.

By including scenarios of infiltration and urban concealment, the drill further reinforced preparedness against asymmetric threats. Post-exercise assessments will be conducted by the involved agencies to refine and strengthen India's coastal security framework. The exercise concluded on Wednesday, marking a critical step in bolstering the security architecture along these vulnerable coastal regions.

This biennial exercise was conceptualised after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to enhance coastal security measures comprehensively along India’s eastern seaboard. The involvement of multiple agencies and industrial representatives highlights the collective approach to securing vital ports, coastal infrastructure, and communities against evolving seaborne threats.

Agencies