my paper takes a look at how events unfolded at Exercise Northstar VII, S'pore's biggest anti-terrorism manoeuvre this year. For details, read 16th July's my paper.
A DRAMATIC storming of Rasa Sentosa Resort Singapore by crack forces was the rousing finale to Exercise Northstar VII yesterday.
The largest anti-terror drill this year involved over 2,000 people from 15 agencies, including the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Home Team and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
The scenario, which simulated the Mumbai terror attacks last November, was meant to test the agencies' ability to evacuate and rescue victims during a terrorist attack and overcome the attackers.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who witnessed the exercise, told reporters yesterday: "We've learnt from their (Mumbai's) lessons, tried to see... how the situation could develop in Singapore and what we must do to respond to it...with planning, preparation, coordination involving all of the agencies SAF, the police and the SCDF."
While the "assault" was over in minutes - with all the terrorists shot dead after the forces took over the area, the success was not achieved overnight.
PM Lee said: "The Special Operations Force in SAF has been preparing its anti-terror capabilities for over 20 to 30 years, since I was in the SAF...
"When you see them in action overcoming the terrorists in a matter of minutes, it's really the result of a few decades of work."
He added: "I think that (the security teams) is what our safety... peace of mind, stability and prosperity ultimately depend on."
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