PATNA: Apparently as a first step towards formation of Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on the pattern of the ones in Mumbai and Delhi, the state government sent 428 police personnel from constables to DSPs to different Central police organisations for specialised training in jungle warfare, weapon tactics and counter insurgency and commando operations.
While some of them have returned trained, most of them are still being trained. “After all of them return, the Bihar police would have a good strength of commandos and we can think of forming our own ATS,” said ADG (headquarters) U S Dutt.
In fact, the Union ministry of home affairs has advised all the states to form an ATS to take on terrorists or even Maoists as and when required.
The state has currently 700 officers and men deputed in the Special Task Force (STF), an elite battalion of the Bihar police which has specialised in anti-Maoists operations as well as overpowering hardcore criminals operating in different districts. The STF commandos have been trained at Anti- Extremists Tactics Centre, Greyhound, in Andhra Pradesh.
Dutt said state police personnel are being trained at centres in Warangte and Diphu in Assam, Mussoorie, Roorkie, Manesar (Haryana), Allahabad, Silchar, Indore and Meru (Madhya Pradesh).
Dutt told TOI there’s a plan to open a counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist training centre each at Dehri-on-Sone, Dumraon, Gaya and Bettiah in the state.