Capital’s new anti-riot unit ready to face mobs

Unit will feature a core of dedicated officers with dozens of officers in reserve

ISLAMABAD: After a handful of protesters laid bare the gaps in the capacity of the Islamabad Police to handle rioters, the newly-established anti-riot unit (ARU) demonstrated their skills at a mock mob-handling exercise at police lines headquarters on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal witnessed the demonstration, terming it a step towards professional and modern policing.

The unit consisting of 586 personnel displayed various formations to tackle both, peaceful gatherings and violent mobs.

As the protest led by the Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) entered its third week, the patience of the government ran out and on November 25 it ordered the police — which had been keeping a watchful cordon around the protesters numbering around 2,500 — to move in and disperse the so-far peaceful protesters.

However, as officers got close to the container of the TLYR, they were ambushed by around 1,000 armed men, forcing the police to beat a hasty retreat. By the time the dust settled, at least five people were dead and dozens were injured.

In view of that ‘embarrassment’, the authorities had announced to set up a specialised anti-riot unit (ARU) in the capital.

While a case for recruiting 2,000 personnel for the dedicated ARU has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry, the capital’s police have in the meantime spared 586 personnel from various wings to set up the unit.

IGP Islamabad Sultan Azam Temuri said ARU will consist of 26 active platoons while a further 200 passive platoons will act as backup.

These active platoons will be dedicated to tackling riots and will be stationed at the police headquarters. The ‘reserves’ will consist of personnel working in different wings of the police force and will be called upon as and when the need arises.

Each platoon would comprise 20 officers, explained Temuri, meaning that as many as 4,000 officers will be in reserves.

The unit will work under the command of SSP-Operations and DIG Operations.

Temuri said that a professional, well-trained, well-equipped and disciple force was vital to deal with mobs. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2018.