Shooting frenzy, explosions part of 1st counter-terror drill at Changi Airport

SINGAPORE — A large-scale counter-terrorism drill was staged at Changi Airport for the first time in the early hours of Tuesday (Oct 17), featuring an action-packed scenario involving gunmen killing crowds, a suicide bombing and the discovery of a makeshift bomb.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with some of his Cabinet colleagues, witnessed the exercise, which involved about 650 officers from various agencies, including the police, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Singapore Armed Forces, Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, public transport operator SMRT and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The drill, the first under this year’s Exercise Northstar, simulates a Saturday afternoon attack starting at Changi Airport MRT station. Two gunmen launched into a shooting rampage, slaying many on the station platform. One of them, armed with a knife, held a commuter hostage but was taken out by police officers trained to deal with security incidents within the public transport system.

As more officers swooped in and the MRT station manager helped commuters evacuate, one of the masked gunmen escaped to the departure hall to plot the next move with three counterparts.

Shortly after, a suicide bomber detonated his vest outside a cafe, killing many more. The rest of the terrorists sprinted into the transit area, all the while spraying bullets indiscriminately.

Officers from the airport police and rapid deployment troops took them out but soon found a suspicious duffel bag left behind by one of the suspects. A robot was deployed to inspect and diffuse the improvised explosive device, finally bringing an end to the devastating attack, which killed hundreds in under 40 minutes.

Other government leaders who witnessed the drill included Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng.

This year’s Exercise Northstar is the 10th edition. The peacetime civil emergency exercise to test multi-agency response to major incidents chose Changi Airport to kick off this year’s drill because major transport hubs are prime targets for terror attacks, the police said.

In June last year, a gun and bomb attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport killed 41 people and injured more than 230. Three attackers, arriving in a taxi, started firing at the terminal’s entrance. They blew themselves up after the police fired back.

Speaking to reporters after the exercise, Mr Lee said Changi Airport makes a “realistic” scenario for the drill as it is a high profile target.

“(It is) completely plausible that something like this would happen in Singapore one day. And if it does happen, we must be quite sure that our responders are ready for it,” he said.

Such an exercise also allows officers from various agencies to team up, practise, and point out potential weak spots where they might need more work, Mr Lee added.

Previous editions of Exercise Northstar had simulated bomb attacks at a series of MRT stations, terrorist assaults by boat at Sentosa, and most recently in 2015, mock explosions and gunfire at the Sports Hub.

The Republic has ramped up its counter-terrorism strategy in recent years, such as by setting up specialist forces and emergency response teams, as well as enhancing protective security measures for buildings and premises.

The importance of community response has also been brought to the fore with the launch of national movement SGSecure in September last year, to train and mobilise the community to play a part in preventing and dealing with a terrorist attack.

Government leaders, including Mr Lee, have warned repeatedly that it is not a question of if, but when, a terror attack will hit Singapore.

Tuesday’s exercise also showcased rescue and evacuation capabilities of the SCDF and MOH’s Disaster Site Medical Command. The two agencies work closely to manage and care for casualties at incident sites and public hospitals.

Police director of operations Assistant Commissioner How Kwang Hwee said close cooperation between various public and private stakeholders is critical in responding effectively to any attack.

“We will continue to work with partner agencies to enhance measures to protect Changi Airport and other key infrastructure, and to ensure swift and decisive action in the event of an attack,” he said.

Exercise Northstar’s second phase will be held at the Home Team Tactical Centre on Oct 28, and will involve about 400 officers from various agencies.