Raipur: Chhattisgarh has set up an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to counter any Mumbai-like terrorist strike in the state.

"ATS came into existence Jan 10. The ATS commandos are now ready to respond to any terror challenge at very short notice," Director General of Police (DGP) Vishawa Ranjan told IANS.

He said the commandos of the squad will not only tackle terror attacks, like those witnessed by Mumbai in November last year, but will also be employed for anti-Maoist insurgency operations during any emergency.

Ranjan said "tough training" will be provided by the state government to the commandos in a phased manner. Also, the central government will be requested to provide their "highly specialised commando training".

Commandos up to the age of 30 years will be employed in the state's ATS.

"Anti-terrorist control rooms have also been set up in all the 18 districts to deal with possible terror attacks and Maoists," said officials in the home department here.

Source : IANS