Officers of the Special Unit of the Slovenian police participated in the Europe-wide counter-terrorism exercise "Atlas Common Challenge 2023" in the framework of cooperation in the Atlas transnational network of law enforcement special intervention units.
Atlas Common Challenge 2023 video
The exercise that took place in September and October simultaneously on several locations in different countries was attended by 38 counter-terrorist units. They trained in joint operations and response to potential terrorist threats. Four large-scale exercises were carried out with financial support from Europol, implementing the full spectrum of training possibilities.
All 38 Atlas special intervention units were able to demonstrate to the European public their capabilities in the fight against terrorism as well as serious and organised crime.
Members of the Slovenian Special unit participated in the exercise in Slovakia, where they trained together with their colleagues from EKO Cobra (Austria), Lynx (Slovakia), TEK (Hungary), Urna (Czechia), SEK BW (Germany) and ATJ Lučko (Croatia) in joint procedures of resolving a hostage situation with the use of different action techniques and special equipment.
The highly complex exercise involved several operational scenarios (i.e. saving the hostages and apprehension of the perpetrators). Like so many times before, we were able to witness the highly professional and well-prepared Slovenian Special Unit, who performed their tasks at an enviably high level and on an equal footing with other units.
Similar large-scale exercises were also held on other locations, involving complex operational scenarios and the use of the equipment available to special intervention units.
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