Vietnamese Civil Aviation Administration on Friday held an airline counter-terrorism drill in Phu Bai airport in the central city of Hue to practice developing quick response to and thwarting terrorist attacks on civilian airliners and airport installations.
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| The airline counter-terrorism drill in Hue\'s Noi Bai airport on September 30, 2011. |
According to the set-up of the drill, a terrorist group belonging to a ‘hostile force in exile,’ armed with home-made guns and grenades, attacked security guards in the Phu Bai airport, killed four airline staff and some passengers, and held a number of them hostages. They then took control of the Airbus 320 and intended to fly the airplane abroad to escape after demanding and receiving a USD1 million ransom.
More than 500 armed troops were instantly mobilized from the provincial special force and the airline’s security force to block the scene and approach the target.
Dozens of armored vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks were in readiness for rescue efforts.
After one hour of intense negotiation with the group, the special force opened fires and arrested 6 terrorists before rescuing 6 hostages.