A three-and-a-half hour ‘counter-terror operation’ by the ‘Black Cats’ came to an end with the elite force neutralising seven to eight ‘terrorists’ who were holed up inside the State's legislature on Wednesday.
The National Security Guard (NSG) personnel, backed by the State's specialised force 'Garuda', who combated the ‘ultras’ inside Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha, successfully flushed out the ‘terrorists’ and also ‘rescued’ officials, who were held ‘hostage’.
The operation was carried out in Room Nos 334 and 106, where the minister was chairing a high-level meeting, when ‘terror elements’ barged in and held them ‘hostage’.
Following the ‘terror’ attack, the commandos neutralised the ultras on Wednesday.
Just a mock drill. This is what employees of the legislature learnt when their workplace abruptly turned into a high security fortress. It took them a few minutes to understand that commandos were merely conducting a mock drill. The demonstration which was carried out to test the mettle of Garuda, started at around 6 pm and wound up at 9 pm. The entire premises was cordoned off, before the personnel enacted the terror scenario.
Speaking to the media before the operation began, Home Minister Parameshwara said that Bengaluru City being one of the potential terror targets, it was important for the stakeholders to orient themselves to important installations like Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha.
He said that 300-odd potential terror targets had been identified in the State. This includes universities, shopping malls, scientific establishments, public undertaking institutions, dams, etc.
“Bengaluru City too being under the terror radar, it was important to sensitise the public. The National Security Guard, which is training the State’s Garuda force, will carry out a mock drill in Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha till 9 pm today,” he said.
He said that such exercises would help gauge the preparedness of the security forces and help young recruits between the ages of 25 and 30 years orient themselves to such situations. As many as 110 Garuda and NSG forces were involved in the operation. Sources said that a similar drill was conducted at a private hotel on MG Road late in the night.
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