site.btaRAILPOL's Active Shield: Coordinated Railway Security Operation Across Europe

A specialized operation under the European Association of Railway Police Forces (RAILPOL) commenced at the hourly hours of the morning, the Ministry of Interior said here on Thursday.

In Bulgaria, the operation is being conducted by officers from the zonal gendarmerie units of the Bulgarian Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Gendarmerie, Special Operations and Counterterrorism.

The operation includes checks on passengers at major railway stations across the country, on trains along main routes and international destinations, and in short-term luggage storage areas. Officers are paying special attention to passengers exhibiting suspicious behaviour. The checks also aim to identify illegal migrants.

The international operation, named Rail Action Day – Active Shield follows decisions made at the 51st Strategic Council of RAILPOL, held in Lisbon. It is held twice a year, in the winter and summer months. Similar activities occur in all RAILPOL member states, the Ministry of Interior noted.