COUNTER-TERRORISM DEFENCE
STORY // Benita Teo & Ong Hong Tat
PHOTO // PIONEER Photographers & Courtesy of SPF & Army News
A terrorist attack can strike our island nation at any time. How ready are we to stand up against the assailants and defend our home? The response plan of the SAF and the HT was put to the test in a multi-agency island-wide counter-terrorism exercise, helmed by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), from 17 to 18 Oct.
More than 3,200 personnel from the SAF, SPF, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), as well as more than 50 volunteers from the People's Association Community Emergency Response Team and Civil Defence Lionhearters participated in the exercise.
Phase 1
In the first phase, which began on 17 Oct, the threat level in Singapore was raised following information shared by neighbouring countries of numerous bomb attacks in the region. In support of the SPF and ICA, SAF personnel were deployed to carry out joint patrols island-wide alongside HT officers.
Phase 2
In the second phase, armed terrorists infiltrated Singapore under the cover of night. Entering along the northern shore, they attacked civilians at the Marina Country Club and quickly moved inland. The SPF responded swiftly to contain the situation and when the terror attacks spread further, the SAF's Army Deployment Force (ADF) and Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) were activated.
Speaking to media at the end of the exercise, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean reminded all Singaporeans to remain vigilant: "We have to take the terror threats seriously, not just the security forces, but everyone in Singapore, to stay alert, united and strong."
