TN to constitute elite Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS)

Chennai, Nov 30 (BPNS)

Tamil Nadu will soon constitute an elite Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to effectively counter terrorism and terror-related activities in the state. It may be recalled that immediately after the Coimbatore Car blast in which a 29-year-old youth Jameesha Mubin was charred to death, the state Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the state would constitute an ATS.

A top delegation of police officers from Tamil Nadu led by the Director General of Police (DGP), C.Sylendra Babu visited the offices of Maharashtra ATS and Andhra Pradesh police’s OCTOPUS( Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations) over the past few days to get inputs from these forces to constitute a similar force in Tamil Nadu.

Sources in the police headquarters told BPNS that the police officers have received inputs from the forces in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and that these would be incorporated while constituting an elite force in the state.

Fresh talent would be recruited for the elite commando force instead of providing officers on deputation to it. Police officers told BPNS that a detailed report would be provided to the state government and once clearance is received steps would be taken to constitute the force.

The state government is also planning to create a separate training centre for the elite forces and the officers recruited in the force would be trained by the Indian Army as well as other commando units of various states.

The police is planning to recruit youngsters in the age group of 18- 21 in the force and would provide tough training to these youths and units would be set up in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tirunelveli. Sources in the police told BPNS that 40- 50 personnel will be posted in each unit.

The Special force would work closely with Central agencies as well as intelligence agencies of other states and would be used for any eventuality in their respective states as well as will be flown to other states if required.

The force will be provided with sophisticated weapons and trained in the latest weaponry.