The National Security Guard (NSG) carried out a joint counter-terrorism mock drill at Howrah railway station, Kolkata, on the intervening night of 28-29 September 2026, marking the first such exercise at the critical station to involve a Vande Bharat Express train. The operation tested multi-agency response capabilities in one of India's busiest rail hubs.

How the Drill Unfolded

The exercise, led by the 29 Special Composite Group, NSG, based in Kolkata, simulated a terrorist incident aboard a stationary Vande Bharat Express. Commandos secured the station perimeter, boarded the train, and neutralised the simulated 'threat.' Alongside NSG personnel, the drill involved the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF), West Bengal Police, and the state fire services.

The NSG deployed its dog squad, bomb-detection robots, and other high-tech equipment during the exercise, giving participating units a first-hand familiarity with both the station layout and the interiors of the recently introduced Vande Bharat coaches — intelligence that officials say is critical during real emergencies.

What Officials Said

'While the RPF and state police are the first responders during a situation involving a train or railway premises, the NSG is called in when situations go beyond their control,' an official said. He emphasised that 'absolute coordination is required in such circumstances and that these exercises help build Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to follow during emergencies.'

The official added that the drill 'reaffirmed the commitment of all participating agencies towards maintaining a swift, coordinated and effective response to counter-terrorism contingencies and strengthening the security of critical transportation infrastructure.'

Why This Exercise Matters

The drill aimed to enhance inter-agency coordination, validate existing response mechanisms, and stress-test operational preparedness for a counter-terrorism contingency in a high-footfall railway environment. According to officials, the realistic scenario allowed agencies to practise coordinated response, information-sharing, and execution of assigned responsibilities under a simulated crisis.

Notably, Howrah station handles tens of thousands of passengers daily and serves as a key interchange point for long-distance and suburban trains across eastern India. The Vande Bharat Express, introduced in recent years as a flagship semi-high-speed service, has rapidly expanded its network — making its security protocols a growing operational priority.

Broader NSG Preparedness Drive

The NSG Hub in Kolkata routinely conducts similar drills across a range of critical infrastructure sites, including hotels, shopping malls, high-rise offices, factories, and metro stations. Officials note that pre-familiarisation with premises layouts significantly reduces response time during actual emergencies. This is the first time, however, that Howrah station and a Vande Bharat train have been incorporated into such an exercise, signalling an expansion of the NSG's critical-infrastructure security footprint in eastern India.

The exercise underscores a broader national push to align first-responder and elite counter-terrorism capabilities as India's rail network — and its flagship train services — continue to grow in scale and strategic importance.