Force One will be ready in two months: Chavan

“Training has reached the last stage of tactical planning. We should be ready and operational very soon,” said Additional Commissioner In-charge of Force One S Jagannathan.

Training has vastly improved their firing skills Jagannathan said. The Pradhan Committee had suggested that firing skills was a key area that needed strong attention.

Senior police officials and some of the retired ones known for their accurate shots are training Force One commandos. The unit will also undergo a special training on machine gun and long-range firing this week by trained sharp-shooters from the Centre’s Special Protection Group (SPG).

Fitness levels of the commandos have greatly improved,said Jagannathan and added: “In the next two months,we plan to complete the most important aspect of training,tactical skills of a commando.” This phase will see retired army officials,who have been instrumental in raising special task units across the country,in the ranks of major and colonels training them in tackling simulated attacks in buildings.

“We are planning to take the commandos to all the 26/11 terror spots to train them on tackling such attacks. At this stage,we have not requested the NSG for guidance,but in case we need it we will seek their help. We already have some retired NSG officials in the current team of experts,” he added.

The commandos will be equipped with the best of arms and ammunition and their uniform,which is a shade of midnight blue,will be ready in another month. The Force One insignia will be launched soon.

To raise Force One,a Maharashtra Police initiative,the state had shortlisted around 450 candidates,from constables to inspectors. They were drawn from the State Reserve Police Force across Pune,Nashik,Aurangadbad and Nagpur,besides the Mumbai Police.

The selection criteria had various tests including running a 2.4-km stretch with complete gear and equipment weighing ten kg and other endurance exercises. Of the 450 candidates who left for Pune for training,the unit has identified 256 commandos who meet all fitness and other criteria.

The state already has a Quick Response Team. It will now be merged with Force One.