Kolkata, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a joint counter-terrorism mock drill at Howrah railway station during the intervening night of September 28 and 29, simulating a terrorist incident aboard a Vande Bharat Express, officials said on Thursday.
The exercise was led by the NSG’s 29 Special Composite Group, based in Kolkata, in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), West Bengal Special Task Force (STF), West Bengal Police and state fire services.
During the simulated operation, NSG commandos secured the station, boarded the train and neutralised the simulated threat. It was the first counter-terrorism drill at Howrah station involving a Vande Bharat Express.
Officials said the exercise aimed to improve inter-agency coordination, test response mechanisms and strengthen operational preparedness for counter-terrorism emergencies in a critical railway environment. It also provided an opportunity for participating agencies to practise information-sharing, coordinated action and their respective responsibilities during a crisis.
An official said the RPF and state police are generally the first responders to incidents involving trains or railway premises, while the NSG is called in when a situation exceeds their control. Such drills help agencies improve coordination and develop standard operating procedures for emergencies.
The NSG’s Kolkata hub regularly conducts exercises at locations such as hotels, malls, high-rise offices, factories and metro stations to familiarise personnel with the layout of critical infrastructure. The Howrah drill also gave commandos first-hand exposure to the station premises and the interiors of the recently introduced Vande Bharat trains.
The NSG deployed its dog squad, bomb-detection robots and other advanced equipment during the exercise. Officials said the drill reinforced the participating agencies’ commitment to a swift and coordinated response to security threats and to protecting critical transportation infrastructure.
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