New Delhi, 22 Feb 2025: The coastal security mechanism of West Bengal was rigorously tested during the two days security exercise, ‘Sagar Kavach (WB)- 01/25’, conducted by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 21-22 Feb 2025. The exercise aimed to validate the Coastal Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the state and involved a series of drills spread across the state’s 158 km coastline.
Coordinated by the Commander Coast Guard (NE), the exercise was centrally managed from the State Coastal Security Operation Centre (SCSOC) at Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 8, Haldia. It simulated a variety of high-stakes security scenarios, including the hijacking of fishing boats for terrorist landings, smuggling of contraband, hijacking of barges, planting of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and attacks on critical coastal infrastructure.
To strengthen the security mechanism, the exercise incorporated active sea and river patrols by ICG, Navy, Police, CISF, BSF, and Customs. In addition to maritime security, district police forces and the Forest Department carried out coastal patrols, while local fishermen watch groups were activated as the “Eyes and Ears” of the security forces, providing valuable intelligence support.
Special operations during the exercise included coordinated missions by the CISF and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from the ICG and Police. Furthermore, the exercise also witnessed Sea and Air coordinated surveillance by ICG.
West Bengal’s coastal security is crucial due to its strategic maritime assets, which include over 3.3 lakh fishermen operating on more than 16,000 fishing boats, two major ports, numerous river ports and jetties, and several coastal industries. With a vast and porous coastline shaped by its unique riverine geography, the state faces considerable challenges in safeguarding its coastal assets. Given these challenges, inter-agency coordination among central and state security forces is essential to ensure the effective protection of the state’s maritime boundaries.
To address this issue and validate the coastal security mechanism, a mandate was issued by the Central and State governments to jointly conduct the exercise, ensuring coordination among all security forces working under both the central and state governments on matters related to coastal security.
Lessons learned during ‘Sagar Kavach (WB)- 01/25’ will be reviewed and analysed at higher levels to further refine the Coastal Security SOPs and strengthen inter-agency coordination for future security operations along the West Bengal coastline.
