Paradip, May 12: The Indian Navy, along with other stakeholders, has started a mock exercise called Operation Hamla to thwart possible sea-route subversive activities and natural disaster.

The exercise is part of natural disaster preparedness drive. In the past, the navy had spearheaded similar joint exercises to enhance coastal security.

The two-day exercise, which ended today, also dealt with steps and measures to meet with exigencies such as cyclone and tsunami. The mock show was conducted both onshore and offshore, where navy officials and other stakeholders took part, said Paradip additional superintendent of police Madhabanand Sahu.

The coast was turned into a virtual battle zone as navy personnel, coast guard, state marine police and marine fisheries wing took part in the security drill on the sea off the Paradip coast.

The exercise is an attempt to put to test security along the coast and preparedness of security forces to thwart attempts of enemies coming from sea routes. The exercise would activate all the agencies involved in ensuring coastal security and the level of coordination among them, he said. Interceptor and patrolling boats besides, helicopters and navy ships are being used by the agencies, Sahu said.

"The exercise will assess the effectiveness of communication, patrolling and combat skills of the central and state marine forces," said a coast guard official.

Various mock drills and situations were created to test the joint response of the security forces against offensive actions. The exercise was aimed at strengthening the surveillance, detection and identifications of enemy forces, communication network and security measures, the officials said.

The whole focus of this venture was to inculcate combative spirit among the agencies involved in coastal security. In case of any eventuality, the drill would keep the forces better prepared to face any crisis, said an official monitoring the exercise.

"Keeping in view the strategic significance of Paradip, the defence personnel are carrying out the exercise. It is a security drill that aims at protecting the country from nefarious activities of subversive elements. As Paradip is a major industrial hub of Odisha, such exercise is of paramount importance," said Sahu.

It was an annual coordinated security exercise to boost the sea-route security. Orchestrated efforts were made to make various agencies familiar with the standard operating procedures of the sea-route security mechanism, an official said.