Counter-terrorism: Police to join Army and Rangers in exercises

Army will be called if Rangers, police are unable to handle a terrorist attack.

LAHORE:

For the first time, the district police, the Rangers and the Pakistan Army have planned joint exercises to counter terrorism, The Express Tribune learnt on Wednesday.

A high level meeting was held at the Capital City Police office on Wednesday in which the high ups of police, Army and the Rangers participated. This was the first such meeting since Malik Ahmed Raza Tahir was posted Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

During the meeting the participants shared their views and suggestions regarding the security situation particularly after the Naval Base attack in Karachi.

The participants agreed to share sensitive intelligence as soon as possible.

Senior army officers told the CCPO that the training they had provided to the Quick Response Force of police was adequate for current terrorism situation needs. The CCPO told The Express Tribune, that during the meeting the participants agreed on joint exercises with one another.

The CCPO said the first joint exercises would likely be in July.  An officer present at the meeting told The Tribune that it had also been decided that in case of any terrorist attack, at first the QRF and the Elite Force will start an operation. Only if they fail to finish the job will the Rangers step in. If the attack is on a massive scale and the Rangers could not control it, will the Pakistan Army be called.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2011.