NEW DELHI: The oft-held criticism against the police of countering armed terrorists with "lathis" is about to change in the national capital. In the aftermath of the recent Mumbai terror attacks, the Delhi police has constituted an elite "Quick Reaction Team" (QRT) comprising commandos, trained at a par with the National Security Guards (NSG) and armed with sophisticated weapons to counter any similar attack in the city.
Following the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) advisory had warned of the possibility of presence of "suspected terrorists" in NCR, following which a decision to constitute QRTs was taken.
Fanning across each of the seven districts of the capital, QRT commandos would have special training to tackle any hostage situation or terror attacks in public places like markets, multiplexes or shopping malls and would also help the local police when required.
"Delhi is permanently on the radar of terrorists and it was imperative to constitute teams that would be well equipped to tackle any situation similar to the one in the recent attacks in Mumbai. The QRT would be provided latest well-equipped vehicles and related gadgetry to counter terrorists," a senior police official said.
However, officials did not divulge details on the strength of each of these teams and the kind of defence equipment that would be provided to them. "The teams would be suitably equipped," was the only answer that officials were willing to give. Apart from sophisticated weapons these "mobile teams" would also be given grenade proof vehicles, which would be on a drive around the district in regular intervals. The Delhi police are also gathering information on layout plans of various buildings in the city to acquaint the QRT with every part of the city.
Though the national capital is virtually on a high alert across the year, security in the capital has been beefed up in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, especially at crowded places like malls, railway stations and religious places. As part of the high alert across the city, the Delhi Police is also conducting mock security drills at various hotels and prominent places, which can be on the terrorists radar.
