As many as 96 constables from Pune police completed their rigorous training on the parameters of the National Security Guard (NSG) as a part of the anti-terror training programme.
Following the Ram Pradhan Committee report on the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai, Pune police commissioner Meeran Chadha Borwankar had formed a quick response team (QRT) on the direction of the state government.
The Pune QRT is managed by inspector incharge of the Pune Anti-Terrorism Cell (PATC), Sunil Tambe, and QRT inspector Sunil Pandarkar. The QRT is divided into13 teams comprising one police inspector, two assistant police inspectors, four sub-inspectors, three police naiks and 96 constables.
The constables have been trained to handle modern weapons such as Glock pistols, MP5 and AK-47 rifles at high and low frequency firing. Three police naiks received training from the NSG, who also trained 96 constables attached to the QRT in Pune city.
The training included live firing once a week, learning code language, ability to speak English, map reading and computer-aided drafting. Various short-term courses were introduced and four constables were recently selected for training at the NSG.
The teams have been equipped with sophisticated bullet-proof vehicles, including six Scorpios, four light vans and adequate number of bullet-proof jackets.
Jawans have received super-skill training provided at Force One HQ and SRPF Unit One. The team is made to watch action movies to improve their strategic planning skills and also made to learn from past terror attacks, besides intelligence gathering and
developing techniques to successfully counter terror attacks.
While speaking to DNA, additional commissioner of police (crime), Anant Shinde, who heads the QRT said, “Our QRT jawans have been well-trained under the guidance of expert personnel. Learning from retired defence personnel and experts about countering terror is helping us broaden our horizons.”
He added that every 3 months, jawans undergo a physical proficiency test (PPT) and constables below the age of 30 are selected for 5 years.
“The sports physician helps us study the jawans’ physical capacity and makes us understand their ability,” Shinde said.
