Air defence system ready; alert in sea and sky of Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The forces are on high alert in the sea and air of Kerala, which is on the southern border of the country. The Southern Air Command headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, the Pangodu military base, the Naval Base in Kochi, and the Coast Guard have all taken precautions.

The Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram controls air operations in the entire South India and in the Andaman and Lakshadweep. It also controls the air bases in Bengaluru, Bidar, Dindigul, Hakimpet, Tambaram, Begumpet, Port Blair, Car Nicobar, Madurai, and Sulur. The Air Force has installed the Aerosat radar to prevent air attacks. This is a system for very close surveillance even at night. There are also long-range bullet cameras. Security has been strengthened at airports as well.

In addition to the radar at the Thiruvananthapuram airport, a satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) system has been installed. Information, including the speed and position of aircraft in the entire southern region, will be available.

The Navy and Coast Guard are on high alert at sea. Since the terrorists who carried out the Mumbai terror attacks came from Pakistan by sea, aircraft and helicopters of both the services are conducting surveillance flights.

Security threat to 26 centres

• In Kerala, 26 centres, including the Thiruvananthapuram VSSC and Mattancherry Jewish Street, were found to be facing security threats from Pakistani terrorist organisations.
• Mullaperiyar, Lower Periyar, Idukki Dam, Karimanal Power House, Sabarigiri Hydropower Plant, etc. are on the list.
• Tamil Nadu had pointed out in the Supreme Court that Mullaperiyar is under threat from Pakistani terrorists. CISF is providing security to VSSC and other centres.

Surveillance zone in the sky

• Air defence system at Thiruvananthapuram Air Command
• Satellite-based surveillance radar at the airport
• Planes will be in this radar surveillance zone before reaching the airspace
• Position and speed will be received as signals every half a second with great accuracy.
• Planes that deviate from the air route will be known and will not disappear from the radar

Neighbouring country also under surveillance

Pakistan's spy agency ISI has a presence in Colombo, which is only 380.19 km away from Thiruvananthapuram. It was found that ISI is bringing weapons through the Kodiyakarai port in Tamil Nadu. It is a three-quarter-hour flight from Maldives, which has close ties with Pakistan and China.