Pune Airport Conducts Bomb Threat Mock Drill to Test Emergency Preparedness
Viman Nagar, 24th October 2026: Pune Airport conducted its annual bomb threat mock exercise on Saturday to assess emergency preparedness and test coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders in responding to potential bomb threats.
The exercise was organised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Pune Airport, in coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other agencies under the Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP), Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said.
The exercise began with a tabletop session at 11 am at the conference hall of the AAI Administrative Building. Officials discussed simulated threat scenarios, the responsibilities of participating agencies and established communication protocols. A mock drill was subsequently conducted at the terminal building at 11.30 am.
According to the simulated scenario, an unidentified person informed the IndiGo manager in Pune about an unattended bag suspected to contain a dummy Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the check-in area. The manager alerted the CISF Security Operational Control Room, which activated the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and informed the concerned duty posts. Passengers, staff members and concessionaires in the affected area were evacuated to a designated safe location.
As part of the drill, the suspect bag was covered with a blast inhibitor and the surrounding area was cordoned off. Security personnel examined the bag using a series of checks, including a Dog Squad inspection, an Explosive Vapour Detector (EVD), a Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD), an electronic stethoscope and a Handheld Real Time Viewing System (RTVS).
After the prescribed checks, the simulated presence of an IED was confirmed. A Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) meeting was convened, following which the situation was declared a specific threat under the exercise.
The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) then handled the suspect bag using a telescopic manipulator and placed it inside a Suspect Luggage Containment Vessel (SLCV). After the simulated Render Safe Procedure (RSP) was completed, the bag was moved to the designated Safe Disposal Area (SDA), also referred to as the cooling pit, for further action.
Dummy IED also detected in cargo area
In a separate simulated scenario, a dummy IED was placed in the airport cargo area near India Post. The State Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad successfully detected it, demonstrating its preparedness to respond to security threats in the cargo zone.
Representatives from the CISF, Indian Air Force (IAF), Pune Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire Services, Customs, Immigration, health authorities, airlines and other airport stakeholders participated in the exercise.
The exercise aimed to evaluate the operational readiness of participating agencies, clarify their respective roles and responsibilities, and assess the effectiveness of communication and coordination during simulated bomb threat situations across airport premises.
Such mock exercises form an integral part of airport emergency preparedness. They help agencies test response procedures, identify potential gaps in coordination and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to security contingencies, Dhoke informed.
