Thousands of officers took part in a counter-terrorism exercise at an airport in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, on Friday morning.

The drill was organized at Buon Ma Thuot Airport in the namesake city in Dak Lak Province by the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, in coordination with many key units of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transport, and the provincial authorities.

According to the exercise scenario, a number of drones operated by a reactionary organization dropped propaganda leaflets and disturbed the sky above Dak Lak Province.

Designated units thus stopped some commercial flights from landing at Buon Ma Thuot Airport to ensure safety and eventually shot down one of the drones.

The reactionary group then incited hundreds of people in Buon Ma Thuot City and surrounding areas to gather for a protest along local roads.

The leading group raised disputes in land issues, site clearance and compensation, and payment of COVID-19 support, while enticing protestors to flood Buon Ma Thuot Airport.

Local officials tried their best to control the crowd but were powerless given the obstinacy of the extremist group.

Hundreds of young men armed with batons and machetes continuously attacked the protective fence formed by police officers.

Unable to persuade the terrorists, the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and Dak Lak’s police department ordered units to suppress and arrest the masterminds to disperse the crowd.

While injured officers were taken to the hospital, a group of terrorists traveling inside a fake ambulance took advantage of the situation to break through a gate of the airport and held many residents and airport employees hostage.

The terrorists demanded an aircraft, US$5 million, and the release of their arrested accomplices, otherwise they would kill the hostages.

To show their determination, they repeatedly beat the hostages and even shot dead a female employee.

In the face of escalating violence and unsuccessful negotiation, special forces were dispatched to the room where the terrorist group was holding the hostages.

Snipers were ordered to shoot the terrorists who were keeping watch in the observatory tower so that the special forces could carry out their attacks.

The special forces used smoke bombs and tear gas to distract the terrorists before taking down many of them and arresting several others.

Dozens of hostages were safely rescued.

Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Vice-Chairman of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, affirmed that the drill took place in accordance with the regulations and the planned scenario. 

Tuan thanked the officers and relevant units for their contribution to the success of the exercise, which was aimed at strengthening the coordination between units and their capacity to deal with acts of terrorism and illegal interference in civil aviation activities.

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