A two-day coastal security exercise christened ‘Sagar Kavach’ involving various stakeholders commenced in the coastal districts of Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur in the central zone on Thursday.

The annual exercise is being conducted to assess the level of preparedness and alertness of the stakeholders involved in coastal security. It is done to thwart the intrusion of terrorists, especially through the sea route. Personnel of the Coastal Security Group, respective district police, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and other stakeholders are involved in this drill.

As part of the exercise which commenced at the crack of dawn on Thursday, surveillance was stepped up in the coastal districts. Vehicle checks were intensified in the coastal areas by the respective district police and the Coastal Security Group personnel.

Coastal Security Group personnel used their fast interceptor boats and those hired from the local fishermen to intensify surveillance through patrolling in the sea. Fishermen were put on alert about the exercise to pass information about movement of any suspicious persons in their respective coastal village.

A few security personnel disguised as “terrorists” were “secured” by the Coastal Security Group personnel in the sea off Velankanni, Akkaraipettai and Keechankuppam coastal villages in Nagapattinam district during the exercise. The 48-hour exercise concludes on Friday, said Coastal Security Group sources.

Published - July 23, 2026 08:50 pm IST