‘The force will be self-sufficient’

Mumbai will soon get its first batch of commandos trained at par with the NSGs and Los Angeles police’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.). Hindustan Times spoke to Deputy Inspector General of Police S Jagannathan, commander of the specialised force.

Mumbai will soon get its first batch of commandos trained at par with the National Security Guards and Los Angeles police’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.). Hindustan Times spoke to Deputy Inspector General of Police S Jagannathan, commander of the specialised force.

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What will be the mandate of made of Force One? How will they operate?

At any given point of time, one group (of commandos) will always be ready. Another group will back up (the first group engaged in an operation) in 30 minutes.

How will this force be different from the Quick Reaction Teams of the Mumbai police?

The Force One, unlike the QRT, will be a self-sufficient force. Apart from the specialized weapons, they will also be equipped with breaching equipments, climbing gadgets besides light explosives.

Does the city have enough infrastructure to house such a specialised force?

We already have a firing range and a swimming pool at the State Reserve Police Force (group VIII) headquarters at Goregaon that will be used by Force One and the NSG (based in the city) for training. We would make additional arrangements—like obstacles, barriers etc. for them to carry out exercises at our own (Force One’s) headquarters (at Kalina).

It is not every day that we will face a terror attack. What will the commandos do when not engaged in an operation?

All through the year, the Force One commandos skills would be honed through regular mock drills and tests, which would be mandatory through the hierarchy.