In a significant security enhancement initiative, Amritsar's prominent Hindu religious site, Durgiana Tirath, became the center of an intensive late-night mock drill conducted by multiple security agencies on Monday night. The confidential exercise aimed to assess and reinforce the temple's security infrastructure against potential terrorist threats.
Secret Night Operation Tests Emergency Response
The mock drill simulated a realistic terrorist attack scenario involving hostage-taking situations, allowing security forces to practice coordinated rescue operations. Arun Khanna, general secretary of the Shri Durgiana Mandir Management Committee, revealed that this marked the first such security exercise in the temple's history. Security teams began their operation after the temple closed at approximately 9:30 PM and continued their intensive drills until 3 AM the following morning.
Demonstrating respect for the religious site's sanctity, all security personnel entered the temple complex barefoot during the entire operation. The drill's confidential nature, while necessary for testing real-response capabilities, inadvertently created an atmosphere of anxiety among local residents, particularly those living near the temple premises.
Historical Context of Security Threats
The security exercise comes against the backdrop of previous threats against the temple. Last January, during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), had issued specific threats targeting Durgiana Tirath. Despite this concerning development, no mock drills were conducted at that time.
Additionally, on January 25 last year, just one day before Republic Day celebrations, the temple administration received a telephone call threatening to blow up the religious site. Even following this direct threat, security agencies had not organized similar preparedness exercises until this week's comprehensive drill.
Coordinated Efforts and Community Impact
Sources familiar with the operation details indicated that the drill commenced around 8 PM with systematic preparations including closing shops near the temple gates, switching off lights, and completely sealing the temple complex to prevent inconvenience to devotees. Unlike the general public, temple management had received prior notification about the mock drill from administration officials, enabling them to prepare accordingly.
The exercise provided valuable insights for both security agencies and temple management, highlighting potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for strengthening overall security measures. This proactive approach demonstrates the increased focus on protecting religious sites following historical security concerns and specific threats against the temple.
