JAKARTA : Indonesian security forces stormed hotels and airports for simulated clashes with masked gunmen on Sunday in a massive anti-terror drill ordered in the wake of last month’s deadly assault on Mumbai.
AFP reported that Sunday’s exercise was the biggest part of a series of drills launched this week with nearly 7,000 military and police personnel involved in simulated attacks and hostage-takings.
Heavily armed anti-terror police swarmed a five-star hotel in Jakarta where masked gunmen carried out a simulated attack like the ones in Mumbai that left 172 people dead.
A military helicopter was seen flying over the hotel building with anti-terror police squads descending on a rope to the roof in a simulated bid to rescue hostages.
Other drills this week saw simulated sea-based attacks in the strategic Malacca Strait, and attacks in airports, seaports and Jakarta’s stock exchange building.
