Mock Anti-Hijacking Drill Conducted at Dharamshala Airport

Dharamshala, July 9, 2025: A comprehensive mock anti-hijacking exercise was conducted at Dharamshala Airport in Gaggal (Kangra) under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Hemraj Bairwa, and coordinated by Airport Director Dhirender Singh.

The simulation involved a high-intensity scenario in which a flight from Delhi to Jammu was force-landed at Kangra Airport after being hijacked. A total of 65 people were onboard during the simulated crisis. The exercise included 10 mock injuries and 2 casualties. APSU Kangra, in collaboration with the National Security Guard (NSG), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and other security agencies, responded swiftly and effectively, neutralizing the hijackers and securing the aircraft.
The drill aimed to evaluate the coordination, preparedness, and response efficiency of multiple agencies in the event of an aviation security emergency. Officials confirmed that this was the second such drill at the airport within a month, underscoring heightened security protocols in the region.
An Aerodrome Committee Meeting was also  held at the airport premises under the chairmanship of DC Kangra. It was attended by SP Kangra, DSPs, SDMs, ASP Sh. Bir Bahadur, ASP 2nd Battalion Ashish Sharma, DySP Ankit Sharma, BCAS Observer Kripal Singh, and Chief Security Officer Shani Anchal.
In a parallel development, the Kangra Airport Advisory Committee convened earlier this week in Dharamshala under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha MP Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj. A key proposal discussed during the meeting was to rename Gaggal Airport as Dharamshala-Kangra Airport, highlighting Dharamshala’s status as a global tourist destination and Kangra's historical significance. MLA Kewal Singh Pathania has been tasked with presenting this matter to the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet for final approval.
The committee also resolved to pursue direct flight connectivity from Dharamshala to Ahmedabad and Mumbai, recognizing that a significant influx of tourists to this region originates from Gujarat and Maharashtra, second only to Punjab. The state government will seek necessary NOACs and support from the central government to facilitate these new air routes and boost tourism in the region.