Ujjain, October 23, 2026: Around 150 commandos from the National Security Guard (NSG), Mumbai, conducted a major security mock drill at the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex in Ujjain late Thursday night. The exercise, which continued until 2 am on Friday, aimed to assess the preparedness of security agencies to respond to potential threats at one of Madhya Pradesh’s most prominent religious sites.
The commandos arrived at Mahakal Lok in bulletproof vehicles and conducted the exercise across key areas of the temple complex. The drill simulated emergency situations to evaluate response time, security arrangements, and coordination among different agencies.
Mock Drill Continued for Three Hours
According to reports published on October 23, the exercise began at around 11 pm on Thursday and continued until 2 am on Friday. NSG personnel assembled near the Nandi Gate at Mahakal Lok, where senior officers briefed them before the operation began.
The exercise covered areas around the Mansarovar complex and the Trinetra Control Room. Commandos practised responding to a simulated terror attack, neutralising hypothetical threats, and preparing for the safe evacuation of devotees from potentially dangerous situations.
The drill was designed to assess how quickly security personnel could respond to an emergency and carry out rescue operations within the temple premises.
Police and Other Security Agencies Participated
The exercise involved coordination between the NSG, local police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), district administration, and temple authorities.
Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Sharma said the primary objective was to assess the alertness of security personnel, their rapid response capabilities, and coordination among different agencies.
The exercise also focused on evaluating emergency security protocols and preparedness for situations that could threaten the safety of devotees.
Entry and Exit Routes Examined
With large numbers of devotees visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple throughout the year, managing security and emergency evacuation remains a key concern for the authorities.
During the mock drill, security personnel assessed strategic locations and practised responding to potential emergencies. The exercise was intended to help identify gaps in preparedness and improve coordination during critical situations.
Security Preparations Ahead of Simhastha 2028
The exercise comes ahead of Simhastha 2028, the major religious gathering expected to bring large numbers of pilgrims to Ujjain.
The increasing footfall at Mahakal Lok makes effective crowd management, emergency response, and coordination between security agencies particularly important.
A similar NSG mock drill was conducted at the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex in September 2023 to assess preparedness for a simulated terror attack and the evacuation of devotees.
Authorities conducted the latest exercise to strengthen security preparedness and ensure that agencies can respond effectively to potential emergencies.
The operation was a planned security mock drill, not an actual terror attack.