Emergency response preparedness tested during civil defence drill in Mysuru

Tension-filled emergency response drill tests Mysuru palace security personnel's preparedness in crisis management, involving explosions and casualties.

Tension gripped the Mysuru palace grounds on Friday evening as an unidentified aircraft was “sighted in restricted airspace,” followed by a series of explosions, triggering an emergency response from the authorities.

As plumes of smoke emanated from the fire, sirens blared through the air, alerting the general public while security personnel swept in to take control of the situation. And it was meant to be just that: a test of the security personnel’s preparedness to handle a crisis due to tensions and the outbreak of hostilities (since suspended following a ceasefire) between India and Pakistan.

The drill - Operation Abhyas - was designed and the scenario simulated in a manner to test the efficacy of all players in the district administration who will be on the forefront during a real-life crisis. Hence, the “first sign of trouble” was noticed by the Air Traffic Control (ATC), which detected suspicious aerial movement over the palace area and swiftly alerted both the district and police control rooms.

 At 4.36 p.m., the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Harsha received the alert and immediately initiated a city-wide emergency response, warning of potential threats to several key installations including Infosys, CFTRI, HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL. Soon after, sirens echoed signalling a high-alert situation.

The simulated scenario included sighting of an aircraft, explosions near the clock tower, collapse of a wall to indicate structural damage, while there were signs of casualties at the spot. The emergency units were quickly mobilised, and medical, police, fire, and bomb disposal teams were activated. Meanwhile, ACP Rajendra secured the area, enabling the bomb squad to conduct inspections before issuing an “all clear” signal.

While fire at a corner of the palace was brought under control, rescue efforts were launched, and about 100 home guards “assisted the injured.”

Medical teams entered through the Jayarama and Balarama gates, established a temporary triage area, and transported the injured to hospitals, while the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses evacuated other personnel and bystanders to safety zones. A one-minute continuous siren indicated that the “crisis” was brought under control, marking the end of the drill.