Wednesday, August 30 2006 12:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A special anti-naxal combat force of nearly 14,000 personnel would be ready by next year to tackle the ultra-Leftist insurgents in 13 states, according to highly-placed sources.

The force would comprise 9,000 personnel of central para-military and state police forces and 5,000 ex-servicemen trained in fighting terrorism and dealing with improvised explosive devices (IED) and mines.

"The special force is currently undergoing training in specialised camps set up by the Army in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and other places," the sources said.

The Army is making available engineers trained in identifying IED's, disposal of bombs, countering IED and using detectors and jammers for this force which would be equipped with highly advanced weapons used by counter-insurgency forces elsewhere in the country.

"The Army is also guiding governments in naxal-affected states on procurement of explosive detection equipment and sophisticated jammers," the sources said.

From the peak of 1,608 incidents in 2005, so far 930 incidents of naxal violence have been reported this year claiming 486 lives.

Sources said so far three company groups in Chhattisgarh, ten company groups in Jharkhand and 4,800 personnel of the Bihar Armed Police besides four core companies of CRPF have been trained in anti-naxal operations in the Army-run Kaner anti-insurgency school in Chhattisgarh.