Indian Navy conducts anti-hijacking exercise ‘Apharan’ off Kochi coast
- The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, in collaboration with Indian Coast Guard, Cochin Port Trust and all other concerned stakeholders, conducted a large-scale anti-hijacking exercise code-named Apharan off the Port of Kochi on December 18, 2019.
- The first-of-its-kind large-scale exercise saw participation of multiple agencies, including more than 12 ships and helicopters of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust.
- The purpose of the exercise was to assess the preparedness of their respective organisations, identify gaps to address them on priority as well as to formulate an integrated crisis management plan for Kochi Port in case of any attempt by anti-national elements to hijack a merchant vessel or attempt forced entry of a rogue/commandeered merchant vessel into the Kochi harbour.