Sunday, February 26 2006 12:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Faced with difficulties in getting intelligence inputs from various insurgency-hit states, the CRPF has decided to form a dedicated intelligence apparatus and favoured the setting up of a separate air wing to give more teeth to its operations.

With the expansion of its role in counter-insurgency opertions, the CRPF is in the process of putting together a separate independent wing as a 'pro-active strategy' to minimise casualties and dependence on the state machinery.

"We have already withdrawn around 1450 officers and men from our over 200 battalions and many of them are already undergoing training with the Intelligence Bureau (IB)," CRPF Director General J K Sinha told sources in an interview.

"We have formulated the structure and the intelligence wing will be in place by the end of March," he said, adding the central paramilitary force, which was given the charge of internal security, was responding well to the changing faces of insurgency in the country.

"The officers will be given training in all aspects of intelligence gathering, including the Technical Intelligence (TECHINT) of the specialised field," he said.

With its operation spreading across the jungles in the North-East to mountains in Kashmir, the CRPF has also recognised the need to set up a separate airwing for operational support like rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

"It is a requirement because though presently there is an airwing, it is with the BSF," he said.