The Elite Punjab Police , also known as the "Elite Force" or "Police Commandos", [1] [2] [3] is a branch of the Punjab Police specializing in Counter-Terrorist operations and VIP security duties, as well as acting against serious crime and performing high-risk operations which can't be carried out by the regular police. It was formed in 1998 as a counterterrorism unit, but over time its duties expanded to VIP escort.

ELITE FORCE TICKETS BTS Tickets Rush Tickets Journey Tickets Shakira Tickets Bryson Tiller Tickets Earth, Wind and Fire Tickets

History

The Elite Force was created on the order of the then Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sarhif in 1997–1998. ^[4] In 2004, more funds were allocated for its expansion, and 5000 new personnel were inducted. New checkpoints for curbing street crime were created across Punjab and manned by the Elite Force. ^[5] Their work drew attention in the wake of the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, when retired general Pervez Musharraf criticized security around the team. Musharraf remarked that

If this was the elite force I would expect them to have shot down those people who attacked them. The reaction, their training should be on a level that if anyone shoots toward the company they are guarding, in less than three seconds they should shoot the man down. ^{[6] [7]}

The Elite Police were also extensively involved in neutralizing enemy combatants who had laid siege to Manawan Police Training School during the 2009 Lahore police academy attacks.

Organization

The Elite Force is headed by the Additional Inspector-General of Police, Elite Police, who is under the Additional IGP (Inspector General Police), CID (crime investigation department), Punjab. During operations, they are headed by an officer trained in a "Basic Elite" course.

The Elite Force is used in a range of special operations including "high-risk searches, raids and rescue operations". ^[8] Members of the Elite Force are trained for six months at the Elite Training Center in Badian, Lahore, by Pakistan's Special Service Group in personal combat, martial arts, crowd control, close quarters operations (CQO), and reconnaissance. They are trained in the use of a range of weapons, including the AK-47, MP-5, and grenades. Their arsenal also included flak jackets. ^[9] They are often seen in black and green track suits. ^[10]

Equipment

• HK MP5
• AK-47
• Bullet proof jackets
• Shotgun
• The MP5SD3

See also

• List of Special Response Units

References

1. India condemns police academy attack
2. How Pakistan academy attack started
3. Sri Lanka cricket team attacked
4. Elite Force
5. Punjab earmarks more funds for Elite Force
6. Pakistan Cricket Ambush Controversy Focuses on Security, Voice of America, 2009-03-5
7. 'Elite force should have killed terrorists'
8. Punjab Police, Elite Force Official website, retrieved 17 March 2009
9. Gujrat Police official website, Standard Operating Procedures
10. Sri Lanka cricket team attacked