The aviation industry conducted a national anti-terrorism drill at Lien Khuong Air Terminal in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong on December 9.




More than 1,000 police, army, aviation industry, fire brigade and healthcare personnel were involved in the operation.

In his opening speech, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai stressed the threat terrorism and hijacking pose to global peace and security.  
A panoramic view of the drill (Photo:VGP)

Airports require regular drills to maintain their vigilance and improve the responsive capacity of emergency personnel in unexpected situations, said Hai.

The Lam Dong drill’s scenario simulated the disorder caused when a group of terrorists organised a mass encirclement of the terminal by thousands of people.    

The hypothetical terrorists stormed the terminal, seized the air traffic control station, and took airport staff and passengers hostage.

They threatened to kill hostages, commandeered a plane, and used communication systems to collude with exiled reactionaries in an attempt to overthrow the local administration.

The responding riot control forces met fierce resistance from the crowds of extremists armed with petrol bombs, bricks, and stones. Authorities eventually deployed tear gas to disperse the rioters.

The terrorists were divided into two groups. One group remained inside the terminal, guarding the passenger hostages, firing their weapons, and condemning the administration.

The second group, controlling a grounded passenger plane, attempted to ransom the hostages for another aircraft to assist their escape. They threatened to kill some of the hostages, prompting authorities to withdraw momentarily and release accomplices already imprisoned.

Anti-terrorist forces prolonged the ensuing negotiations, covertly entering the aircraft and deploying commandos.

A special unit succeeded in killing the terrorists, holding the terminal, releasing their hostages and regaining the control of the communications system.  

Commandos and hijackers exchanged fire outside the terminal. All terrorists aboard the plane were eventually either killed or arrested, and all hostages were released.

Rapid response forces were deployed to search for any bombs, and chemical or radioactive substances hidden on the plane and in the terminal.

They located and defused dozens of timer-deactivated chemical bombs planted inside the terminal. Three of the devices detonated, forcing chemical experts to cordon off the affected area, analysed the chemicals used, and clean up.

Rescue forces held a review to discuss the lessons learned from the operation after it concluded.  



Source: VOV/Chinhphu.gov