Paradip, Nov. 19: A two-day mid-sea war of a different kind concluded today off the Paradip coast.

The mock security drill was a joint security exercise of the armed forces and the state government coastal security agencies. The security personnel put up a spirited show of preparedness for counter possible terror strikes, infiltration and sea-route smuggling.

The army, air force and navy, besides the Odisha state marine police displayed their co-ordination that showed they were ready to meet with emergencies. "The defence personnel are carrying out the exercise here keeping in view the strategic significance of Paradip. It is a security drill that aims at protecting country from nefarious activities of subversive elements. The coastal security stakeholders such as the state forest department's sea patrolling wing, marine fisheries department and state marine police are taking part in the exercise. As this region is fast emerging as a major industrial hub of Odisha, such exercises are of paramount importance," said additional district magistrate Rama Krushna Sahoo.

This coastal region with a major port has a coast guard base. Steps are under way on part of the ministry of defence to set up a naval base in Paradip, he said, adding that orchestrated efforts were being made to make the army wings familiar with the standard operating procedures of the on-shore and off-shore security mechanism.

"The whole focus of this venture is to inculcate combative spirit among the agencies involved in coastal security," said an official monitoring the exercise.