Sindh Police starts new training regimen

Drill seeks to train personnel in fighting crime in urban areas, reduce risk of casualties

KARACHI: Sindh Police has started a new training regimen for its personnel in the wake of incidents of 'accidental' killings of two minor girls in the last couple of months.



In the first phase of the special training course held at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Elite Police Training Center, 550 police personnel were trained in the adaptation of protective measures during police encounters, particularly in congested areas where the risk of collateral damage is far higher.

According to police officials, the training aims to equip personnel with the skills to deal with precarious situations. The concept developed in the wake of the deaths of 10-year-old Amal, who was killed in an encounter in Defence Housing Authority and seven-year-old Aqsa, who was killed by a stray bullet which was later discovered to have been fired by a police official while cleaning his gun.

The training aims to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. According to Training DIG Sharjeel Khar, the drill focuses on training personnel in the use of small firearms, particularly the 9mm pistol, which is the standard issue for police personnel.



During the exercise, the participants were also made to act in complicated situations, such as what to do when faced with suspects in a public space when they are in possession of heavy weapons like SMGs or G3 rifles. The personnel were taught to use all resources available to them to stop the crime without putting the lives of civilians in danger. Besides, the personnel were trained in one-on-one combat and the art of self-defence.

DIG Khar said that in the first phase, the training is being conducted for all personnel based in Karachi. Subsequently, the regimen will be replicated to train personnel across the province. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2018.