Ujjain: A stir was created at the world-renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, at midnight when NSG ‘Black Cat’ commandos—dressed in black and armed with modern weaponry—appeared in full action mode. The sudden activity of the commandos caught those present in and around the temple premises by surprise. However, this was not an actual terrorist attack, but a special mock drill conducted to test the security arrangements.
Security exercise held from midnight to 2:00 AM
Given the high sensitivity of the Mahakal Temple and the massive influx of devotees, security agencies carried out this special exercise. An NSG team, arriving from Mumbai, conducted the mock drill between midnight and 2:00 AM. It began at the Nandi Dwar of ‘Mahakal Lok’ and extended up to the Mansarovar area.
The sight of heavily armed commandos in black gear caused some initial confusion among those present. Nevertheless, the entire operation was aimed at strengthening security preparedness.
Commandos swung into action as darkness fell
During the mock drill, the NSG personnel practiced responding to scenarios such as a potential terrorist attack. The commandos demonstrated tactical maneuvers, including moving while using pillars for cover and providing cover for one another. At one point, the lights were strategically switched off to create darkness, allowing the team to test their operational capabilities in low-light conditions.
Despite the darkness, the commandos continued their mission with speed and precision, advancing toward their designated objectives while utilizing the pillars of ‘Mahakal Lok’ for cover.
Locating a hidden suspect and practicing the rescue of devotees
A key component of this mock drill involved searching for a suspect hidden within the premises. During the exercise, the commandos conducted a search operation in the dark and successfully located the suspect. Additionally, a drill was conducted on the procedure for evacuating devotees to a safe location during an emergency.
The exercise also rehearsed the process for the immediate transport of any injured devotees to a hospital. According to officials, the individuals portraying suspects and devotees were merely role-players (dummies); there was no actual terrorist attack or intrusion by an assailant at the temple.
Over 100 NSG Commandos Participated
More than 100 NSG (National Security Guard) commandos took part in this specialized security exercise. Along with the NSG, the local police and the temple administration’s teams were also actively involved. All agencies worked in coordination to test their preparedness for handling potential emergency scenarios.
Ujjain Additional SP Alok Sharma stated that the Mahakal Temple is one of the country’s prominent religious sites and a major center of faith. This advanced mock drill was organized to strengthen preparedness for effectively dealing with any emergency or untoward incident.
Similar Exercises Have Been Conducted Previously
Mock drills have been held in the past to assess the security arrangements within the Mahakal Temple complex. Notably, a similar exercise—focusing on responding to potential terrorist incidents and conducting rescue operations—was carried out on the temple premises on September 26, 2023.
The objective of such exercises is to bolster the readiness of security agencies, enhance their coordination, and improve their capacity for rapid response during emergencies, thereby ensuring the safety of devotees in any untoward situation.
