Day after attack, police sees need for weapon count

Mohit Khanna 

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 28 

A day after the terror attack that led to the death of an SP, three home guard jawans and as many civilians at Dinanagar, police chiefs of all the districts today received circular from the headquarters asking them to provide the police station-wise detail of weapons.

The attack exposed the serious paucity of weapons and safety gear among policemen. The policemen, armed with outdated weapons, could not withstand the assault of terrorist who were equipped with high-tech weaponry.

The officials have been asked to provide details of weapon requirements within a stipulated period. It has come to light that there is a serious mismatch in the distribution of weaponry and safety equipment. 

Some districts have been provided bulletproof vests, but not helmets. There has been a paucity of AK-47 assault rifles in police stations. 

“Recently a pistol I was allotted a highly mechanised pistol but the bullets being used in it are nearly two decades old. I am not sure whether bullets will work or not,” said a DSP-level officer. He said a majority of the armoured vehicles had outlived their life and no such vehicle was purchased following the end of terrorism in the state.

Yesterday the state police received an armoured vehicle from the J&K police to tackle terrorists attack in Dinanagar police station while bulletproof vests and other safety gear were sent from Ludhiana and others districts. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Naveen Singla confirmed the receiving of circular, but he refused to divulge details citing security reasons. 

Police sources said nearly 100 AK-47s and the same number of highly mechanised revolvers were sent to all police districts nearly three years ago, but the weapons were lying unused and awaiting official approval from police headquarters in Chandigarh.