To raise frontline officers' ability to command, co-ordinate and respond in terrorist incidents, the Emergency Unit of New Territories North (EU NTN) conducted a large-scale counter terrorism (CT) exercise, codenamed "STORMSHIELD", at Shenzhen Bay Port in the small hours of May 19.

Over 250 officers from Operations Wing of NTN Regional Headquarters, Regional Command and Control Centre of New Territories (RCCC NT), EU and Police Tactical Unit (PTU) of NTN, Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Yuen Long District (YLDIST), Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU) and Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) participated in the exercise.

The exercise simulated the interception of a wanted terrorist who entered Hong Kong through Shenzhen Bay Port. The interception triggered his gangsters to launch a terrorist attack on the spot to compel the Hong Kong Government to release the arrested accomplice. Several terrorists entered the departure hall where they shot and kidnapped some transit passengers, whilst other terrorists exchanged fire with officers outside the complex.

Officers of YLDIST, EU NTN and CTRU swiftly arrived to tackle the incident. The PNC was summoned to negotiate with the terrorists. As the negotiation broke down, the terrorists started killing hostages. Officers of CTRU and EU NTN initiated an immediate tactical intervention, and rescued the hostages and subdued the attackers. Finally, the officers screened all the people at scene and arrested the remaining terrorists.

On the other hand, following the positive feedback about a CT workshop for Inspectorate officers last November, another workshop was held for frontline sub-unit commanders under "Project Grizzly" on May 10. The 32 participants, of the rank from Sergeant to Senior Inspector, came from four NTN Districts, PTU, QRF and RCCC NT. The workshop covered the trend of terrorist attacks, the Force's CT strategies, role of frontline commanders in terrorist incidents as well as tabletop and practical exercises. This was followed by tactical demonstrations by EU NTN.

Readers are welcome to watch a video of the CT exercise through the following link (https://www.facebook.com/HongKongPoliceForce/posts/1855461274541828/).