In a few months, the newest combat agency of the city police, Response-10, will be ready to thwart any terrorist attacks involving gunmen.
In a few months, the newest combat agency of the city police, Response-10, will be ready to thwart any terrorist attacks involving gunmen.
But before you feel reassured, know that the combat team of Response 10 will be made up of the poorest performers in the elite Quick Response Teams (QRTs), the elite combat agency set up to counter any form of terrorist attack in the city. The only consolation, officials say, is that the men will be better-trained than the local police — a promise that cannot be verified since the Response-10 teams will not be involved in routine police duties.
According to reliable sources in the police commissionerate office, of the 1,455 sanctioned posts for QRT men, 600 have already been filled. "There will not be any independent recruitment for Response-10 and the men will be gradually selected from the QRTs itself. Basically, they would be men who have not performed well within the QRT mechanism and would be handpicked for Response-10. However, they would be much better trained then those working in local police stations and would be ideal to tackle terrorist gun-battle situations. They would also be entitled to one-and-a-half times more salary then local policemen," said a senior police officer.
The sources added that Response-10 teams would comprise three to four people headed by a police sub-inspector who will work in shifts. Though they would be attached with local police stations, they will not perform regular police duties.
"To begin with, 60 SUVs have been sanctioned for Response-10 teams. Gradually, all teams across the city will have their own vehicles so that they can patrol in their respective jurisdictions," the officer said.
The Response-10 team will also be armed with sophisticated firearms such as MP-5s and AK-47s, bulletproof jackets and other equipment. Sources said the response time for them to reach any terror-struck spot will be five to six minutes.
"If an incident takes place, Response-10 teams from three nearby police stations will be the first to reach the spot and swing into action. QRTs, Force One and National Security Guards, if required, will then follow," said another police officer.
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