With Pakistan-based terrorist organizations not controlled by the Islamabad regime, and making repeated attempts of infiltration and unleashing of terror on our soil, it has become necessary for the State to upgrade anti-terror operations along the LoC and the rest of the State. J&K Police have rendered meritorious service to the nation in countering insurgency in the State. J&K Police have various branches and as a result of two decade and longer insurgency, it has also incepted Commando Training Centre (CTC) where commando training is imparted to the selected candidates from the Police force.
It has been increasingly felt that the State Police Force needs to be provided with all sorts for wherewithal in order to make it capable of handling terrorist related incidents. But on the basis of experience gained while combating terrorism, the authorities have come to the conclusion that commando training needs to be upgraded and the State Police have to be self-sufficient in all respects in meeting critical situations. In a statement, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Trainings, said police were being readied to deal with every kind of situation and the CTC is being upgraded to premier Counter-Insurgency and Anti-Terrorism (CIAT) School. Henceforth it will be called Counter-Insurgency and Anti-Terrorism (CIAT) School in Lethpora area of Awantipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Government of India had approved the upgrading of the CTC to CIAT in 2014, and now the infrastructure of the School would be upgraded. Commandos would be given hardcore training including in firing and house-intercepts. Already the police force has trained 200 commandos who are posted at different places. However, now there will be a bigger plan of training the commandos fully so as to make them as good as the commandos of the National Security Guards (NSG).
It is learnt that the at CIAT School, the commandos will be trained not only in methods of counter-terrorism but also in many related matters like mob controlling and dispersing, intelligence coordination, house searches etc. It is to be noted that terrorists trained in training camps across the border are imparted highly upgraded and professional training in conducting acts of insurgency, mayhem and terror once they are in the valley or this side of the LoC. A study in the methods of terrorism during last two years has revealed very sophisticated training given to the terrorist. Our police were never trained to counter armed insurgency with pockets of public support. Since this situation has arisen, it is but natural that we have to find the method of counter the adversary. That lies at the root of our preparing for an upgraded counter terrorism institution wherefrom commandos will come out with adequate training and equipment.
As long as terrorism and violence were not the part of life in the State, the police performed its normal duty and there was no need for raising commandos. Life was peaceful and safe. Our State was a model state of peace and tranquility. But having failed in three direct attempts of snatching Kashmir, Pakistan made a fourth attempt what is called proxy war. In this war, Pakistan has devised the method of instigating the ordinary through enormous propaganda campaign. In the course of initiatives taken by the police to enforce law and order in the State, sometimes it becomes necessary to resort to mild force to disperse the threatening crowds who can cause damage to public property. On such occasions, miscreants propagate for mass demonstrations. How this can be controlled is of much importance to the police. The commandos have to be trained how to exercise restraint and use minimum force for restoration of normalcy on the streets. Apart from that, the upgraded commandos will also be deployed in situations of emergency like floods, fire, avalanches etc. In practice, this has to be a multi-utility force. Although, by and large, people are not happy with multiplying police force or the State making a show of muscle power but after all the State has to maintain law and order on the streets and prove its effectiveness. We welcome the decision of the Government of raising the CTC to CIAT. The Union Government has already agreed to extend financial support to the scheme. Now that the State has determined to implement the scheme, we hope the Centre will release funds and the infrastructure of the CIAT School will come up without loss of time.
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