Armed police to get regular training

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 2

The Punjab Armed Police (PAP) wing, the forces of which played an active role in combating the terrorists in Gurdaspur, has launched a special training programme for the forces engaged in various security services including deployment at vital installations across the state.

Earlier, there was no programme for providing training from time to time to these security personnel, but now, PAP has decided to make it regular.

The Armed Training Centre has also been mulling improvement in the training format to prepare the policemen to tackle terror strikes. Lapses by the forces in Dinanagar are also reportedly being analysed to close all loopholes.

Sources confirmed that PAP has called around 250 security personnel engaged with VIPs, bureaucrats, police officials and other dignitaries to overhaul their skills.

Talking to The Tribune, Pawan Kumar Uppal, Commandant, PAP Training Centre, said, "Apart from holding refresher training for security personnel engaged with VIPs and others, around 700 security persons engaged in the security of vital installations like power houses, railway over-bridges, Ranjit Sagar Dam and Pong Dam across Punjab have also been called to the PAP campus to refresh their weapons training."

The armed wing has over 500 Light Machine Gun (LMG) holders who are stationed with various battalions and forces across the state. Uppal said, "We will check if the LMGs are technically fit and whether the person holding the sophisticated gun is well versed with it."

Similarly, around 500 professionals — experienced in grenade handling — will also be given refresher training to operate the GPF rifles used to launch grenades.