Force-1 Battalion to be ready by October

The Force-1 Battalion that is undergoing rigorous training to combat terrorism, at the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Pune, will be ready for action by the first week of October, Force-1 Battalion deputy inspector general of police S Jaganathan said. After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the state government sanctioned a strength of 350 policemen for preparing a battalion that will be ready to face any challenge posed by terrorists in Maharashtra. The benchmark prescribed for forming such a battalion was on the lines of National Security Guard (NSG) and thus, the training course was prepared in consultation with the NSG, army officers and international training agencies. The Battalion comprises 250 fighters and 100 supporting staff, including drivers, wireless operators and policemen at the main control room and armouries. Jaganathan said a committee of top police officers, headed by him, had visited the range police headquarters in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and Nagpur to select men for this battalion. “The committee selected thousands of policemen, including constables, up to 28 years of age, subinspectors up to 32 years of age and inspectors up to 42 years of age, on the basis of merit,” he added. After selection, these men had to undergo a fitness test which required them to run for 2.5 km with a rifle and loaded sacks, do a certain number of pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups within a stipulated period of time. “The 400 policemen who were found fit were included in the battalion,” Jaganathan explained, adding that this battalion is the elite force of policemen in the state. “In the first phase of training, these policemen were given rigorous training to improve their physical fitness, endurance, alertness and basic firing skills. Of these men, 200 were again shortlisted for a special four-month-long commando force training,” Jaganathan said. After completion of their training, the battalion will be based at Force-1 Headquarters in Mumbai so that it can be pressed into service in case of an emergency. The Battalion will be divided into four groups and one of these will be ready to move within five minutes of an emergency call. Each group will have its own mobility,” Jaganathan said. The Battalion will be equipped with the latest weapons, bulletproof jackets, communication systems, vehicles and other important equipment.