Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director General (DG) Praveer Ranjan chaired a review meeting in Chandigarh to assess the agency’s operational preparedness and security arrangements across airports in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat.

During the meeting, emphasis was laid on strengthening preparedness against emerging threats, including drone-related challenges, anti-sabotage measures, and disaster response capabilities, the CISF said.

The D-G emphasised that a combination of continuous physical training, inter-agency coordination, and rapid technology adoption is vital to address modern threat vectors. He also lauded the soft skills training programmes conducted in partnership with airline operators to improve passenger interface and service standards at the 72 airports where the CISF is deployed.

To counter low-altitude aerial threats effectively, the CISF has rolled out a phased counter-drone training programme for its personnel in close collaboration with the Army. “Conducted at multiple specialised locations, this programme equips personnel with advanced capabilities to detect, track, and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” the CISF said.

Counter-terrorism training

The meeting also reviewed joint training initiatives being undertaken with the Army and other agencies in the areas of counter-terrorism, quick reaction response, and disaster management. The CISF reviewed the key technological and operational upgrades across the commercial airports under its protection. Discussions centred on reinforcing perimeter security, upgrading surveillance networks, and adopting next-generation screening tools to maintain world-class aviation security standards.

The CISF is running a dedicated drive to fortify its airport quick reaction teams (QRTs). To date, 659 personnel from 49 aviation security groups (ASGs) have successfully completed military-grade ‘Battle Inoculation Training’. To ensure specialised research and training in this domain, a proposal for the creation of a CISF Aviation Security Academy (CASA) is currently under consideration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Mr. Ranjan also commended the professionalism and unwavering commitment of the force’s personnel.