Sharpened skills: Hyderabad policemen complete military training

The second batch of the anti-terrorism squad underwent a month of training with the army

HYDERABAD: The second batch of the Hyderabad range anti-terrorism squad has completed its one-month training by the Pakistan Army, with a certificate and shield distribution ceremony held at the Police Lines, Hyderabad, on Friday.

The commanding officer of the 55th Brigade, Abrar Hussain Bhatti, distributed the awards. Up to 20 police commandos from Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Matiari districts were selected for the training. The first batch, comprising 60 policemen from Hyderabad district, completed their training on February 6.

The commandos learned counter-terrorism, search, raid, weapons, sniper and other skills during the training, the concluding part of which was held at the army's Kotri Firing Range in Jamshoro district.

"The policemen who have received the military training will act as trainers for other police personnel as well," explained the brigadier, adding that the army, Rangers, police and intelligence agencies were working to enable joint operations against terrorists.

According to Bhatti, the challenges facing the police force in terms of counter-terrorism were higher than those faced by the army. "When we engage in operations at the border or in Waziristan or Wana, we know who and where our enemies are," he remarked. "But the police have to perform their duties amid civilians, which makes it difficult to identify terrorists and criminals."

Hyderabad DIG Dr Sanaullah Abbasi stated that the police would continue to provide military training to their personnel so that each district in the province had a force to respond to terrorist attacks.