Kerala to get NSG/Israeli-trained SWAT team

[Abingdonboy]

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police will deploy its newly-raised elite paramilitary commando unit—Kerala Commandos—at Pulinkudi near Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram, Thripunithura in Kochi, and Pandikkadu in Kozhikode in 2012.

The 240 direct recruits to the proposed Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) are two months into their initial 18-month training to perform perilous counter terrorism and hostage rescue operations, and to handle heavily armed terrorists in the event of an attack similar to the one in Mumbai.

Taking a cue from their counterparts in Maharashtra, the State police have hired trainers of Israel's Special Forces to teach its recruits modern commando tactics, including Krav Maga, a lethal martial art.

Officers on deputation from the elite National Security Guards and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force are supervising the training. Each SWAT unit will have 40 combatants, including snipers, maritime and airborne assault commandos, and communication and signals experts.

The State police will procure specialised fire-arms for the SWAT, mainly Austrian-made Steyr sniper rifles, German-made Heckler and Koch submachine guns, Italian SPAS 12 semi-automatic combat shot guns, Austrian Glock 17 semi-automatic 9 mm pistol, ARGES hand grenades, military fighting knives, synthetic bullet proof body armour, fire retardant bullet proof vests, ballistic shields, battering rams, guns that deliver electric shocks to immobilise targets (Tasers), and high-speed armoured vehicles.

The SWAT will be equipped with state-of-the-art remote control bomb disposal devices, including explosives and ordinance disposal robots, laser range finders, helmet-mountable night vision scopes, and outboard engine powered rubber dinghies

The commandos will not be deployed for VIP protection yahoo:) or normal law and order duty. They will constantly train using live ammunition to keep their fighting skills sharp. The SWAT team members will be absorbed into the civil police cadre once their tenure in the unit is over.

The Kerala Commandos will be attached to the NSG and the Grey Hounds, counter insurgency action force of the Andhra Pradesh police, for two months each.

Director General of Police Jacob Punnose and Deputy Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham headed a high-level committee formed to raise the SWAT team.

The Hindu : Front Page : SWAT team to be ready next year

 

[Tangent]

....and the reason being ?????
........talibanisation of Malabar ???

 

[Tshering22]

I wish we had something on that Trichy assault rifle up for this. But still.. even European nations use each others' weapons so what the heck! At least these should be manufactured in India with license.

But that's great. Kerala is getting immersed into Jihad slowly and a SWAT is needed there.

 

[blackops]

I wish we had something on that Trichy assault rifle up for this. But still.. even European nations use each others' weapons so what the heck! At least these should be manufactured in India with license.

But that's great. Kerala is getting immersed into Jihad slowly and a SWAT is needed there.

Jhad and kereala I never heard of it can you explain me

 

[Abingdonboy]

I wish we had something on that Trichy assault rifle up for this. But still.. even European nations use each others' weapons so what the heck! At least these should be manufactured in India with license.

But that's great. Kerala is getting immersed into Jihad slowly and a SWAT is needed there.

Regardless of what is happening, all major Indian states/cities need such a force (and are now finally getting them) for whatever may be around the corner.

And Jihadisation of Kerala, not a real thing.

 

[IndianArmy]

Kerala and SWAT Team?? I dont think this state has any money left in its treasury to equip and maintain such a force.. Just a Waste of Public money. Seriously one could upgrade the State Police instead and Take support of Central Forces in need rather than state forces.

 

[Bharthi]

This Swat team will have a lot of work in north kerala.Ordinary mallus are in denial.

 

[CaptainJackSparrow]

And Jihadisation of Kerala, not a real thing.

It is a real threat.

 

[harpoon]

This Swat team will have a lot of work in north kerala.Ordinary mallus are in denial.

I am a Mallu and not going to deny that there are some Muslim groups in Malabar region who are going the extremist way which is a very valid concern, but the threat is not so great that we need a SWAT team to counter them. As IndianArmy said its a waste of money.The money could have better spend in the Kerala police especially the intelligence wing so that threats could be nipped in the bud itself. Most of our police is still roaming around in antique Enfield .303 rifles.

 

[hawx]

It is a real threat.

Largest muslim population % wise ,yes the threat is real.

 

[harpoon]

Largest muslim population % wise ,yes the threat is real.

The population is not the problem, as they are of Keralite origins itself. Unlike Muslims in otherparts of India, they don't claim some Middle East or Central Asian ancestory, as they have been converted under the influence of Arab Merchants way before Mohd Bin Qasim conquered Sindh...but the problem lies in the exposure to more extreme of the religions especially from the Gulf.

 

[KS]

Good and bad.

Good news is atleast something is coming somewhere.

Bad news is, Kerala IMO does not need it. As said by Indian Army sir, first and foremost all the state police units must be re-equipped with decent weapons - the WWII vintage revolvers and .303s need to be done away with and pistols & army surplus SLRs/INSAS issued to the policemen.

Better vehicles and communication equipment must be provided too.

And most importantly the radical Saudi/Wahhabi ideology that is gaining ground in Malabar and North Kerala must be rooted out scrupulously.

On a lighter note, it is bad Mallus are getting SWAT cover during the dam issue with TN. This is upsetting the balance of power and threatens regional stability

 

[StormShadow]

And Jihadisation of Kerala, not a real thing.

Then you seriously need to familiarize with what has been happening in kerala, what's happening and if the trend continues what would happen.

 

[december]

I wish we had something on that Trichy assault rifle up for this. But still.. even European nations use each others' weapons so what the heck! At least these should be manufactured in India with license.

But that's great. Kerala is getting immersed into Jihad slowly and a SWAT is needed there.

I dont why everyone want to paint kearla as jehadist ,whweras it one of the most peaceful state...............

But i dont deny the fact that anti national elements could find some recruits from here.............

 

[december]

Largest muslim population % wise ,yes the threat is real.

please withdraw your statement..................your sentance can be badly intrepreted like" muslims are threat to society"