Delhi Police procuring six small armoured vehicles

With the deadly Mumbai attacks in mind, Delhi Police is procuring small bullet-proof armoured vehicles that can prove handy in deploying forces inside a building where terrorists may have taken hostages.

This is apart from the three big armoured vehicles being procured ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The plan is to procure six "Small Armoured Capsule-based Light Bullet Proof Vehicles" for the SWAT teams of Delhi Police's Special Cell, a senior police official said.

"These vehicles are required for the purpose of entering into the terrorist attack spot may be a hotel or a building. These vehicles may reach up to the porch of the hotel or at the main gate of the building," the official said.

The vehicle can carry six personnel, including its driver, he said.

"We have the Mumbai attacks in our mind where the terrorists have entered hotels and buildings. In such a situation, these vehicles will help in deploying crack team," the official said.

Asked whether the vehicles will be procured ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the official said they have floated the tender for the purpose.

The official said the big armoured vehicles which will be procured for the Games will be moving around the city and sometimes stationed at venues during the Games.

The big armoured vehicles, each carrying 30 commandos, would be deployed to tackle eventualities like terror strikes. One batch of such commandos is ready while two batches are undergoing training and will be in action ahead of the Games.

Smaller armoured vehicles are presently being used by Mumbai Police. They use Mahindra Marksman, the country's first armoured capsule based light bullet proof vehicle, which has capability to be used in counter terrorist action as well as in conventional roles.