By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Members of the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit (LRRU ) have demonstrated a drill on how they will respond to counter terrorism attacks, if it does happen during the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November.
The drill involved a hostage situation were an APEC delegation were held up and taken hostage as they were on their way to a meeting venue.
The drill, which was witnessed by Minister Responsible for APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, senior officers of the PNG Defence Force and the police took place at the PNGDF hanger.
The drill is part of the preparations that the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) team have undertaken to tighten up security for World Leaders during the Leaders’ Summit.
In this drill, the bus transporting a number of APEC delegates was hijacked and passengers on board were held hostage.
Upon receiving intelligence that APEC delegates were held hostage, members of LRRU then responded.
The drill displayed how PNGDF snippers would react to a hostage situation, before a team of specialist soldiers would approach the bus, disarm the attackers and free the hostage.
The drill was part of a numerous practical exercises the Joint Security Task Force was engaged in to develop specialised capabilities in the lead up to APEC in November.
This capability is seen as a transformation in the history of PNGDF as it prepares specialist soldiers to respond to emergencies.
This drill was particularly to address counter terrorism, it was one of the many sets of training, JSTF is undertaking to ensure PNG delivers a safe and secured APEC.
LRRU Formerly known as the Special Force Unit (Long Range) in the PNGDF was formed in 1996 to respond to small reconnaissance or emergencies in the country.
Since its formation, the unit has been engaged in some tasking directed by the government.
These included the rescuing of Indonesians who were taken hostage by West Papuans in 2015, the Ramsey Operation in Solomon Islands in 2003 and the Bougainville Sand line Crisis in 1990.
