Anti-terror drill held

March 25, 2019

Voiceover:
The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit organised its first exercise, codenamed “Powersky”.

It simulated an operation against a terrorist cell which was plotting an attack in Hong Kong using homemade explosives.

With aerial support from the Government Flying Service, the Special Duties Unit raided the terrorist hideout and neutralised two terrorists. 

The Counter Terrorism Response Unit subdued two terrorists who belong to the same cell in another location. One of them released toxic chemical gas during a confrontation. Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bureau officers diffused the chemical leakage.  

The Organised Crime & Triad Bureau also collected evidence at the scene including several passports which were handed over to the Immigration Department's Counter Terrorism Operations Section.

In another scenario, Customs & Excise Department officers examined a truck with a mobile X-ray vehicle scanning system, and used an explosives detection dog to look for precursor chemicals for making explosives.
 
The unit co-ordinated various operational units to mount an operation to smash the terrorist plot against Hong Kong.
 
In the operation, the Fire Services Department carried out decontamination procedures for people infected by toxic chemical gas.

Under Secretary for Security Sonny Au said the objective of the exercise was to enhance co-ordination among various departments on counter-terrorism intelligence and response, and to heighten the public’s counter-terrorism awareness.

The exercise was held at Lei Yue Mun Park and about 270 officers took part.

The Security Bureau set up the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit in April last year, with members from six disciplined services, including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service.

The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit staged its first exercise today, mobilising about 270 officers from six disciplined services.

Codenamed "Powersky", the exercise took place at Lei Yue Mun Park and simulated an operation against a terrorist cell which was plotting an attack in Hong Kong using homemade explosives.

With Government Flying Service’s aerial support, Police’s Special Duties Unit raided a terrorist cell, while its Counter Terrorism Response Unit neutralised other terrorists.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau officers and Fire Services Department’s Hazmat Team were called to handle the chemical leakage at scene.

Police’s Organised Crime & Triad Bureau and Immigration Department's Counter Terrorism Operations Section conducted scene investigation.

Customs & Excise Department officers searched for explosives at a suspected cargo truck at a boundary check point.

Under Secretary for Security Sonny Au said the drill aimed to enhance the co-ordination among various departments on counter-terrorism intelligence and response, and to arouse public awareness.

He said the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit, set up in April last year, offers a platform to boost Hong Kong's overall counter-terrorism deployment, adding the team will also review relevant strategies and response plans.