Karnataka - Mysore

Elite commando force in training for city’s security

MYSORE: The Mysore City Police is raising its own force of commandos to tackle any emergency.

Although it is not as elite as the “Black Cat” commandos, the police are training a group of young officers posted to various stations here to handle emergencies.

The 70-member commando force underwent a three-month training programme in the city under senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Vincent S. D’Souza.

Top police officers in the State had trained this select group of civil policemen on the nitty-gritty of countering emergencies.

The force was first used during the recent Dasara celebrations which had come under terror radar. The festivities passed off peacefully, thanks to unprecedented security cover given in the city.

Police sources here said that the commando force, which is yet to be named, may be sent for advanced commando training to Madhya Pradesh to prepare them for countering all forms of terror strikes.

About 30 armed commandos were deployed at important locations all across the city on Friday in view of the red alert in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai. “We have handpicked about 30 commandoes to give security cover to select locations here, including railway station, bus-stands, tourist spots and prominent installations, along with the civil police. They are armed and trained to handle emergencies,” Mr. D’Souza said. He added that the commando force had received basic training on handling emergencies and may be sent for advanced commando training, especially in handling terror attacks once the situation in the country resumed normalcy.

Perhaps it is for the first time that a force trained in commando warfare is being used to give security cover, along with civil police. “But since the attack in Mumbai was unprecedented and the entire country is on high alert, we thought of deploying them in the city as a precautionary measure,” Mr. D’Souza said.

The force shall be kept in reserve and used only when necessary. Though they, along with other recruits, had been appointed to various police stations here, they shall not be spared for normal duties in future since a dedicated commando force is essential for Mysore, he explained.

All 70 commandos are aged below 25 years and are highly motivated.

“Such men were handpicked and trained. A few of them have received body protectors, helmets, latest firearms and night-vision cameras. We are making sincere efforts to supply the rest with the same equipment at the earliest since it is our own force,” Mr. D’Souza added.

The commando force will become fully operational to tackle any type of emergency once all its members receive counter-terrorism training and training in the use of latest gadgets.

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