{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Delhi Anti-Terror Exercise Sudarshan Shakti-V Tests Multi-Agency Preparedness Across Key Locations Ahead of August 15",
  "summary": "Delhi Police and the NSG coordinated a massive 17-hour counter-terrorism exercise named Sudarshan Shakti-V across critical locations in the national capital to test emergency response systems ahead of Independence Day.",
  "content": "Security agencies in New Delhi have stepped up operational readiness ahead of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations on August 15. In light of heightened threat perceptions and intelligence inputs surrounding the national festival and the flagship event at the historic Red Fort, Delhi Police along with central security organisations carried out a comprehensive counter-terrorism simulation exercise. Titled 'Sudarshan Shakti-V', the mega exercise created simultaneous terror attack scenarios across high-footfall and sensitive zones in the capital to test inter-agency coordination, tactical response times, and communication networks.\n\nExercise Duration, Governance, and Coordination Framework\nThe extensive exercise kicked off at around 10:00 AM on August 7 and continued uninterrupted until nearly 4:00 AM on August 8, spanning roughly 17 hours. Conducted under directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the multi-agency operation was jointly coordinated by the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Special Cell of Delhi Police. The primary objective was to evaluate how swiftly and cohesively various security, administrative, and emergency services act when confronted with a synchronized multi-target terror assault in the capital city.\n\nSimulated Threat Scenarios: Explosions, Hostage Crises, and CBRNE Incidents\nSudarshan Shakti-V created realistic and challenging crisis simulations across multiple sectors. These included mock improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, active shooter incidents, and complex hostage situations inside crowded facilities. Furthermore, the participating units were tested against high-risk scenarios such as aircraft hijackings and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats. The exercise examined how rapidly information flows from first responders to specialized tactical teams and central control hubs during large-scale emergencies.\n\nKey Locations and Public Infrastructure Covered\nTo ensure practical readiness across diverse urban environments, several high-density transit nodes, commercial hubs, government buildings, healthcare facilities, and religious institutions were integrated into the exercise. Key locations included Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Connaught Place, Nehru Place Market, Safdarjung Hospital, the Delhi Secretariat, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Additionally, drills were executed at IGI Airport, V3S Mall, Red Fort Metro Station, Sanskriti School, ISKCON Temple, and Kalkaji Temple to evaluate security protocols at places with large public gatherings.\n\nJoint Mobilisation of Specialized Units and Tactical Squads\nA wide spectrum of law enforcement, military, disaster response, and essential utility services participated in the exercise. Delhi Police deployed its Special Cell SWAT unit, local district police forces, Bomb Disposal Squads, Traffic Police, Crime Branch personnel, Airport Police, Metro Police, and Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles. Central and emergency partners included the NSG commandos, Indian Army units, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Fire Service, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Central Ambulance Trauma Services (CATS), and the local health department.\n\nEvolution from 'Operation All Out' to 'Sudarshan Shakti-V'\nThis annual counter-terrorism drill has reached its fifth iteration. Formerly conducted under the moniker 'Operation All Out', the exercise has evolved into the more structured 'Sudarshan Shakti' series. The fifth edition focused not only on neutralizing active threats and suspect apprehension but also on verifying bomb disposal procedures, casualty evacuation protocols, fire suppression, aviation security enforcement, and civil administration coordination under intense stress conditions.\n\nIndependence Day Imperatives and Comprehensive Security Grid\nWith the Prime Minister set to address the nation from the Red Fort on August 15, security protocols across New Delhi remain exceptionally stringent. Executing a exercise of this scale days before the main event enables security commanders to identify communication bottlenecks, streamline command structures, and validate response timelines. The exercise reassures citizens that safety forces remain fully prepared across all domains to counter any potential security threat effectively.\n\nWhat this means for you\nAcross India: National counter-terrorism agencies demonstrate high operational readiness and multi-agency coordination ahead of Independence Day.\n\nIn Delhi: Enhanced security checks, potential traffic diversions, and heightened vigil will remain in effect across key public hubs, transit points, and around Red Fort leading up to August 15.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How long did the 'Sudarshan Shakti-V' drill last in Delhi?\nThe anti-terror mock drill ran continuously for 17 hours, starting at 10:00 AM on August 7 and concluding at 4:00 AM on August 8.\n\n2. What was the purpose of this mock exercise?\nThe exercise aimed to test multi-agency response capabilities, tactical preparedness, and inter-agency coordination ahead of August 15 Independence Day celebrations.\n\n3. Which major agencies participated in Sudarshan Shakti-V?\nParticipants included Delhi Police Special Cell SWAT, NSG, Indian Army, NDRF, CISF, BCAS, DMRC, Delhi Fire Service, FSL, and local health authorities.\n\n4. Which locations in Delhi were covered during the exercise?\nDrills were conducted at Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Connaught Place, Nehru Place, Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi Secretariat, IGI Airport, Red Fort Metro Station, and ISKCON Temple.\n\n5. What was the previous name of this annual exercise?\nThis annual counter-terrorism drill was previously known as 'Operation All Out' and is now in its fifth edition as 'Sudarshan Shakti-V'.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/svatntrata-divasa-se-pahale-delhi-men-17-ghnte-chali-mega-enti-terara-drila-sudarshan-shakti-v-pramukha-sthalon-para-parakha-gaya--15162",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-08",
  "tags": [
    "Sudarshan Shakti V",
    "Delhi Police",
    "NSG",
    "Independence Day Security",
    "Mock Drill",
    "Anti Terror Exercise"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}