Mumbai: The Railway Protection Force in the city is expecting a major share of the commando force and AK-47 rifles that the Railway Ministry has resolved to buy to counter terrorism at major railway stations across the nation.

The Railway ministry has decided to purchase about 3,000 rifles and raise 2,000 elite commandos to avoid terror attacks.

"Going by the threat perception, we need at least one company of commandos each in Central and Western railway lines. One company consists of 130 commandos. These commandos should be deployed at major railway stations to avert any further terror strikes," a senior RPF official said here.

"As far as the number of AK-47 rifles is concerned, it is up to the Railway Ministry to decide on what proportion they will give," he said.

On November 26,two terrorists - Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman and Ismail Khan, descended at CST and fired indiscriminately at the crowd, killing 50 people including two security men.

Since then, security in both Central and Western suburban lines has been beefed up.

"Besides tight security measures, there is an urgent need to equip the security men with advanced weapons. Since the terrorists are wielding sophisticated weapons, the security forces should also be provided AK 47 rifles," another RPF senior official observed.

Presently, the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) are the two forces entrusted with Railway security.
Source : PTI