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SINGAPORE: The NorthStar exercise moved on Tuesday to Vivocity where security forces handled a major "terrorist attack" at a shopping centre.
NorthStar is an annual event to test the emergency response capabilities of the different agencies. This year's drill, codenamed Exercise NorthStar VII, simulated the attacks on India's Mumbai city last November, with terrorists launching simultaneous assaults on key public areas.
NorthStar VII is conducted over two phases. Phase one started on Monday where a terrorist scenario was enacted on Sentosa Island.
The exercise continued on Tuesday where the focus was on how the authorities worked closely with community partners like shopping centres when tackling a terrorist attack on such premises.
This time, the exercise scenario was at Vivocity with "terrorist" attacks on three fronts. The "terrorists" landed via speedboat at the Singapore Cruise Centre, moved on to the Cable Car Towers and advanced towards the Vivocity Shopping Centre through a link bridge from HarbourFront.
The Jurong Police Headquarters received calls of "shooting incidents" at Vivocity. They swung into action, with the Special Police Forces mounting the operations.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cheang Keng Keong, Commander of Jurong Police Division, said: "One particular point we note is the involvement of the Project Guardian officers who are actually the security officers of Vivocity itself.
"It is reassuring to note that the Vivocity management can effectively carry out their crisis management plans and assist the police in their role in this situation."
One of the key units involved in the exercise at Vivocity was the Police STAR unit which has been specially trained to handle counter terrorism incidents in Singapore.
According to the Police Force, those who serve in the STAR unit must have a high level of mental and physical resilience and courage. It was formed in November 1993 to provide the Police Force with the highest level of tactical armed response.
Phase one of NorthStar VII ended with the exercise at Vivocity. Phase two of the drill will be conducted next week.
- CNA/ir
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