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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, May 16: Welcome to the world of "buddy pair" policemen. Ever ready with their loaded weapons, they can turn around with lightning speed and fire bullets from 20 yards away that never fail to hit the bull’s eye — all this, without even taking a proper aim. This deadly accuracy is the speciality of the special forces who will be working with the Mumbai police to stem the spate of underworld killings that has rocked the City in recent weeks. And their talents were in full display at the passing-out parade of the fourth Special Operation Squad (SOS) here today.
Colonel M P "Chou" Choudhary, who has spend 20 years training Army Commandos, Black Cats and now the SOS, says the training given requires extraordinary mental and physical toughness. The figures are there to prove his statement: Out of a 45-member squad, only 25 policemen could make it through the five-week gruelling training.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Col Choudhary said that the policemen were imparted training in the latestweapon tactics and quick reaction firing, which is part of the curriculum of Army commandos.
The policemen, who have been grouped as "buddy pairs", have also been taught the art of unaimed firing and skillful handling of explosives. According to Col Choudhary, commando training is necessary to combat underworld killings, that are becoming increasingly high-tech. Most of the underworld gangs are equipped with weapons like AK-47 and AK-56.
Meanwhile, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ranjit Singh Sharma said that the commandos will now form part of the "motorcycle-borne-hit-squads" which will chase gangsters fleeing after shooting incidents. However, the extent to which the squad will succeed is still a matter of debate.
While an average commando with the SPG or the Black Cat has to fire about 800-1,000 rounds to reach an acceptable level of proficiency, a policemen in the City just fires around 25 rounds in his service.
