Karwar: A two-day joint coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ commenced here on Friday, to assess the preparedness of the police in the Karwar and Bhatkal regions, in the event of a terror attack.

The Uttara Kannada police, coastal security police, Indian Coast Guard and Port Department jointly participated in the mock exercise. High-alert was sounded on roads and the sea in the coastal taluks. More number of police personnel were deployed near sensitive places like Kali bridge, Karwar city, Kaiga NPCIL main gate, Mallapur town shipyard, Bhatkal town and all ports and other taluk headquarters in the coastal taluks.

Police set up a checkpost on each and every road leading to cities in the coastal areas. Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramod Rao and Bhatkal coastal security police inspector Gunagi took part in the drill.

The joint exercise will continue till Saturday evening in the coastal taluks, as part of the national ‘Sagar Kavach’ programme, police sources said.