Fighting terrorists: 230 cops undergoing commando training

They will be deployed in Lahore in February after training ends.

LAHORE:

As many as 230 police personnel are receiving commando training at the Police Lines to deal with terrorism and hostage situations. The training started on January 1, 2015 and will be completed in February.

The decision to establish the new commando force was taken in December, 2014 in the wake of the attack on Army Public School Peshawar.

Elite Force Chief Instructor ASI Jagday Khan, who is one of the trainers, told The Express Tribune that the police commandos were being taught firing technique, mounting, dismounting, anti-ambush, assault, obstacle crossing, repelling, picketing, raid formations and use.

“It is being ensured that each policeman fires at least 100 bullets using modern weapons (Berretta handguns and AK-47 rifles),” he said.

Khan said that the commandos had been trained to hit moving targets, especially people travelling on bikes.

Muhammad Fayyaz, a training participant, said: “My physical fitness and accuracy in hitting targets have improved,” he said.

Kamran Munir, another policeman, said that he had to run two miles before the daily morning drill.

“I have learnt how to cross various obstacles. I can now climb from one building to another using a rope,” he said.

Ramazan Ahmad, another commando, said that he had learnt how to place pickets properly. Liaquat Ali said that they had been taught various body postures that reduced chances of being hit when under fire. Headquarters SP Omer Saeed, who is in charge of the commando force, said that the initiative was meant to equip policemen with skills needed to ensure safe rescue of hostages. “The policemen are being trained by Elite Force instructors. The training has raised awareness of standard operating procedures for search, inspection, patrolling and security hazards in addition to achieving and maintaining physical fitness,” he said. “We want this unit to become adept at handling firearms and setting up pickets. They are also getting mixed martial arts training,” he said.

He said the force would have 10 to 25 commando platoons by February 15.“There will be two companies consisting of five platoons each. The strength of each company will be 125,” said Saeed. He said the trainers were focusing on sniper, unarmed combat, security formation and fire-and-move and raid-and-field craft training. “They are also being taught close quarters combat, room clearance, post-action activities, building assault and room entry, use of handcuffs and security formations,” he said. He said they would be deployed in Lahore after the completion of training.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2015.