Indian Navy personnel at the joint coastal security exercise off Paradip coast. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Oct. 7: Indian Navy, along with other stakeholders, today embarked on a two-day mock exercise — Operation Hamla — to thwart possible sea-route subversive activities.

The coast has become a virtual battle zone as personnel of the navy, Coast Guard, state marine police and marine fisheries wing are taking part in the security drill near Paradip.

The exercise, which is part of Centre’s coastal security plan, is an attempt to test the forces’ preparedness to thwart enemy attacks.

The exercise would ensure the level of co-ordination among all the agencies involved in ensuring coastal security, said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

He said the agencies were using interceptors and patrolling boats, other than helicopters and navy ships. “The exercise will assess the effectiveness of communication, patrolling and combat skills of the central and state marine forces,” Bhoi said.

Various mock situations would be created to test the security forces’ skills. The exercise would strengthen surveillance, detection and identifications of enemy forces, communication network and security measures, he said.

The focus of this venture is to inculcate combative spirit among the agencies involved in coastal security.

In case of any on-shore or off-shore subversive activity, the drill would keep the forces better prepared to tackle the crisis, said a personnel monitoring the exercise.

“Keeping in view the strategic significance of Paradip, defence personnel are carrying out the exercise. As Paradip is one of Odisha’s major industrial hubs, such exercise is of paramount importance,” said inspector of Paradip marine police station Bhabagrahi Rout.