The India Decade

CISF conducts anti-hijacking mock drill at Delhi IGI Airport to test security preparedness

The exercise tested rapid tactical response and inter-team coordination to ensure passenger safety at India's busiest aviation hub.

By The India Decade

Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. File image.
Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. File image. · “Delhi airport terminal 3 (cropped)” by Ravi Dwivedi (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

The Central Industrial Security Force has carried out an anti-hijacking mock exercise at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, testing rapid response mechanisms and tactical coordination across its aviation security units.

The exercise simulated a high-threat aircraft hijacking to evaluate how quickly command personnel and ground tactical units react under pressure. Officials tested emergency protocols designed to neutralise hostile threats, secure civil aviation assets, and protect passengers at the country's primary international gateway.

Testing operational readiness under pressure

During the simulation, CISF personnel were deployed across designated operational zones to respond to unfolding tactical challenges. The scenario evaluated containment procedures, tactical movement, communication relays, and joint decision-making across specialised response units.

Security planners monitored the drill to review response times and spot potential friction in emergency handovers. Beyond initial reaction speeds, the drill assessed how well command structures maintain clear operational control during complex crises.

Assessment focusOperational objectiveEvaluation criteria
Tactical responseRapid aircraft interventionDeployment speed and containment
Inter-team coordinationSynchronised movementMulti-unit communication flow
Emergency protocolsAsset and passenger safetyExecution of standard operating procedures

Safeguarding national aviation hubs

As the lead federal agency tasked with civil aviation security across India, the CISF maintains round-the-clock protection over passenger terminals, cargo infrastructure, and aircraft bays. The force conducts regular readiness drills across sensitive airports to counter evolving security risks and refine tactical readiness.

Delhi's IGI Airport handles tens of thousands of domestic and international travellers every day. Running full-scale tactical simulations allows security planners to stress-test contingency plans in a realistic operational environment without disrupting scheduled flight traffic.

The CISF has not disclosed the specific duration of the simulation or the exact number of personnel who took part in the exercise.

Key numbers

WhatFigureSource
Location of drillIndira Gandhi International Airport, New DelhiCentral Industrial Security Force
Lead security agencyCentral Industrial Security Force (CISF)Central Industrial Security Force

In this story

NameRole in the story
Indira Gandhi International AirportLocation where the security drill took place
Central Industrial Security ForceConducted the anti-hijacking mock exercise at Delhi airport

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