OPS & TRAINING

Fighting terror

01 Apr 2019

A school shooting, hostage-taking and bomb threats were some of the simulated terror attack scenarios the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Singapore Police Forces (SPF) tackled during an overnight exercise held from 19 to 20 Feb across multiple locations. 

apr19_fs2-1a
SAF and SPF personnel responding to a hostage situation at SJI International.

Story by Benita Teo

Photos by Kenneth Lin, Timothy Sim & Singapore Army

English 华文

The CT exercise brought together more than 900 personnel from the SAF's Island Defence Task Force, Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and 38th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (38 SCE), as well as the SPF’s Woodlands Division, Tanglin Division, Jurong Division, Special Operations Command and Gurkha Contingent. 
                            
It is part of their regular training to strengthen interoperability between the SAF and Home Team to handle terrorism threats under the Homefront Crisis Management Framework.

St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International

 

An armed terrorist (wearing blue) slips into SJI International, where students are having their recess break. He opens fire at the foyer and makes his way to the canteen, where he holds several of the students hostage.
Having run out of ammo, the terrorist uses the students as human shields and tries to escape. The Joint Patrol Team keep their sight and guns trained on him.
The terrorist makes his way to the school hall with the hostages. Sensing that he will not back down, the SPF officer radios headquarters to request for reinforcements.
The SPF's Ground Response Force arrives, catching the terrorist unawares. With a single shot, they take him down and rescue the students.

Tuas Link MRT

 

Photo: SPF A group of gunmen attack civilians standing at the platform and hold several of them hostage in an empty train cabin. The SPF's Special Tactics & Rescue Unit personnel move in to contain the siege and help hostages escape to safety.
Personnel from the SOTF lying in wait at Tuas Link MRT station to respond to the hostage situation.

Junction 8

 

At Junction 8 in Bishan, a Joint Patrol Team responds to a suspicious item left behind by a passer-by. They track the passer-by to the nearby bus interchange and apprehend him.

 

This is an important exercise to enhance our operational readiness and strengthen our interoperability between the SAF and SPF, to deal with terrorism threats swiftly and effectively, to make sure Singapore is safe and secure.

 

 

"This exercise allowed us to validate our joint plans; the lessons learnt will be used to further enhance our plans…(The participants) did well in reacting to the exercise scenarios and worked well together. This gave us confidence that we would be able to deploy and respond effectively together." 

 

 

Tags:
april-2019-issue Counter Terrorism Exercise CT SPF IDTF SOTF 38 SCE Homefront Crisis Management Framework 2019-ops
Share this story:

Got a great story to share?
Send it our way — we might feature it!

Share Your Story

ALSO READ IN OPS & TRAINING

RSAF MRTT brings S’poreans home from Middle East

11 Mar 26

The RSAF deployed the first of two A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft to repatriate Singaporeans and their dependents from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

SAF to develop “high-low” mix of capabilities, from high-end new assets to low-cost drones

27 Feb 2026

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) must continue to modernise and upgrade to keep pace with an expanded range of threats. 

New firing range complex at Bedok Camp; Medical Classification System to be redesigned

27 Feb 2026

To train soldiers for a more complex environment, the SAF will build a new Multi-Mission Range Complex, as well as introduce opportunities for national servicemen to take on new roles, and more ways to volunteer.

Reaffirming their commitment to defence

07 Feb 2026

Over 3,000 NSmen displayed their commitment to Singapore’s defence at a MOBEX in Selarang Camp.