Delhi Police’s latest buy: Ballistic Protective Blanket

The Delhi Police is taking no chances as it gears up even for urban warfare in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

The Delhi Police is taking no chances as it gears up even for urban warfare in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

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The latest addition to their defense arsenal will be the Achilles’ shield-like ‘armoured blankets’ — also known as Ballistic Protective Blankets— which will provide protection to officers during 26/11-like terrorist attacks.

“As can be interpreted by its name, an armoured blanket is a defensive equipment which provides officers with ‘shoot-drop-move’ capabilities during a potential gun battle. It can be used both to lay siege upon one’s opponent and to counter a siege-like scenario,” said a senior police officer.

The equipment is available in measurements ranging from 5-5.5 feet and guarantees safety to officers as they advance on their targets in potential pitched gun-battle scenarios.

“These are useful in urban settings where the danger of civilian casualties exists. One cannot fire indiscriminately to disarm or destroy a potential threat in a densely populated area. This equipment protects the officers and enables them to concentrate on the accuracy of their shots,” the officer said.

Composed of several layers of protection these blankets will be lined with materials ranging from iron to plywood and up to three officers can man each such unit.

“Depending on the number of officers manning each unit, one officer will be engaged in manoeuvring the blanket, while the other(s) use their weapons to shoot. The officer manoeuvring the equipment will lift the protective cover as and when his colleagues are ready to return fire,” said the officer.

The Delhi Police is due to obtain three such units well in time before the upcoming Commonwealth Games.