Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise “WISDOMLIGHT” smoothly concluded (with photos)

     The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) coordinated a large-scale inter-departmental counter-terrorism (CT) exercise codenamed "WISDOMLIGHT" at the Youth Sports Ground in the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) today (December 17).

     In addition to the six member departments of ICTU — namely the Hong Kong Police Force, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Correctional Services Department, Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, and Immigration Department, personnel from the Civil Aid Service, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority, as well as KTSP Limited also actively supported and participated in the exercise.

     At the media session, Police Senior Superintendent of ICTU, Mr Leung Wai-ki, said that the global terrorism situation remained complex and continued to evolve. Both religious extremism and far-right extremism, along with geopolitical tensions in recent years, posed challenges for CT work around the world, including Hong Kong. Past attacks have suggested that major events and mass gatherings could be the potential targets of terrorists.

     To ensure that Hong Kong had adequate CT preparations and response capabilities, ICTU and its member departments held CT exercises at different locations on a regular basis in response to the latest terrorism situation. As Hong Kong’s newly-built critical infrastructure with major sports facilities, the KTSP carried a significant symbolic meaning. Although there was no intelligence suggesting that it would be a target of attack, departments must make every CT preparation to ensure that events would be held at the venues in a safe and smooth manner. Hence, ICTU conducted this exercise to enhance the coordination and response capabilities of various departments in dealing with terrorism-related intelligence and responding to different forms of terrorist attacks.

     The exercise simulated a scenario that extremists launched a knife and shooting attack at the start of a sports event, with a suspected improvised explosive device discovered in the venue.

     The exercise also invited ten community groups from different sectors and age groups to voluntarily participate, with a view to further promoting the "Whole-of-Community" approach in CT. It also reminded the public to pay more attention to suspicious circumstances in daily life and apply the advisory of "Run, Hide, Report" to protect themselves and the people around them in the event of emergency.

     Mr Leung stressed that ICTU would regularise and standardise CT exercises and continue to identify appropriate venues for the coordination of large-scale inter-departmental CT exercises in the future. ICTU would also coordinate with other government departments and public and private organisations, as well as inviting citizens and community organisations to participate in these exercises, in order to further enhance Hong Kong’s overall terrorism prevention and CT response capabilities to ensure community safety.