MUMBAI: The specialised commando squad, Force One, which was formed by the Maharashtra Government after the 26/11 carnage on the lines of the NSG, is yet to deliver the desired results as a fallout of paucity of funds and lack of advanced equipment for training purpose.
The decision taken in 2009 by Force One to give specialised commando training to 300 cops is still met with trouble due to the non-availability of modern weapons and bullet-proof jackets. The commando wing, which was commissioned in November, 2009 is expected to guard the city 24x7 from terror attacks.
When US President Barack Obama visited Mumbai recently, Force One was not pressed into service and instead the service of the NSG was utilised by the state government.
According to sources, Force One has had only three training sessions of 15 days each with Israeli trainers from ‘Mosad’. Each session cost the state `10 lakh and slowly the training programme came to a nought.
Only 10 percent of the commandos have bullet-proof vests and helmets. Other equipments like blast-proof eyewear, goggles with rear view, stun grenades and digital radios have not yet been made available.
Senior IPS officer Sadanand Date, who received President’s Police Medal for bravery during the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26, 2008, is the chief of the Force One.
Date, along with the then ATS chief Hemant Karkare and colleagues Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, fought with terrorists Ajmal Kasab and his aide Abu Ismail.