Multi-agency exercise led by police to test Singapore's response to terrorist attack

Toa Payoh West and Balestier hosted a drill exercise featuring a mock terror attack and rescue by Singapore Police Force and SCDF during a demonstration for residents at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 on Aug 6, 2016. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

SINGAPORE- Singapore's response across public agencies to a terrorist attack will be put to the test in an exercise over two days.

The police - supported by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority , Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People's Association - will conduct an islandwide counter-terrorism exercise on Monday (Oct 17) and Tuesday (Oct 18).

"This exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Home Team and SAF to test and validate Singapore's multi-agency response plan in the event of terrorist attacks," the police said on Saturday (Oct 15).

The exercise also serves to raise public awareness on the current threat landscape and encourage continued vigilance from members of the public, a police spokesman added.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases - from 10am to 10 pm on Monday and 10pm to 4am the next day.

In Phase 1, officers from the police and the SAF will be conducting joint patrols at public places such as MRT stations and bus interchanges, while officers from the ICA and the SAF will be conducting joint patrols at the land checkpoints.

In Phase 2, blanks, thunder flashes, and smoke simulators will be used at various locations. "Exercise-In-Progress" signs will be placed prominently at exercise venues throughout the exercise. Cordons will be set up within the exercise venues.

During the exercise, Tampines Central 5 and Bishan Place will be closed from 11pm on Monday to 4am the following day to all vehicular traffic, except authorised police, SAF and emergency vehicles.

Parking restrictions along the peripheral roads will be strictly enforced, and vehicles parked indiscriminately or causing obstruction will be towed away, the police said.

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