Chandigarh, Dec 1 (IANS) The inspiration may have been from the United States but the Punjab police now has its own SWAT — special weapons and tactics — teams to be the first responders to any crisis situation, especially terrorist strikes.
This was announced here Tuesday by Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) P.S. Gill.

“Highly trained and specially equipped special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams of company strength have been created in every range, and are being provided with dedicated transport. These SWAT teams would enable the state police to discharge its responsibilities as the first responders in any terrorist or crisis situation,” Gill said.

The SWAT teams will be under the direct command of the range deputy inspector general (DIG) of police.

The DGP added: “The team members will be armed with the best assault rifles and support weapons in the international market. The teams would be provided with bullet-proof transport, light weight bullet-proof jackets and helmets. Each member will have hands-free radio set. The SWAT teams would be properly trained in all aspects of counter-terrorism.”

He added that the Punjab Police has decided to raise special anti-riot squads for making available trained personnel for responding to law and order situations.

Personnel in the squads would be provided with complete anti-trauma body suit with level-2 protection, riot control helmet, gas masks, shock shields, taser guns, gas guns and pepper gun launcher.

“The concept is to use deadly force only as a last resort and control the law and order situation with technological gadgets which do not cause fatal injury. The anti-riot squads would function under the range DIGs and would undergo regular and special training,” Gill added.