They were undeterred by the challenges posed by the rough terrain of the Karalayi forests in Nilambur or the deep woods in the North East. The 160 commandos of ‘Kerala Thunderbolts’, the elite commando force of Kerala Police, were undergoing what could be called a transition period in life—one which transformed them from ordinary citizens to guardians of the nation.
The ‘Kerala Thunderbolts’ is constituted as a part of the India Reserve Battalion following the Centre’s direction post the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike. Interestingly, Kerala is the first state to act as per the Centre’s direction though it faces a relatively low number of terror attacks. The elite commando force demonstrated its skill on August 14 and its passing out parade was held on August 24.
“It is the first time that such a force is being constituted by a state as a wing of the police. Also it was for the first time that a group was selected and trained as commandos as against the normal practice of selecting eligible persons from the existing force,” says ADGP (Armed Police Battalion) R Sreelekha.
The Thunderbolts training focused on tackling terror strikes and disaster management activities. Equipped with modern gadgets, the commandos, in the age group of 18 to 24, have completed 18 months of rigorous training at various Special Force institutions across the country.
“The first phase began in February 2011 at the Commando Training Centre at Pandikkad, Kerala, and later at the National Adventure Academy, Munnar,” says Commandant in charge of the battalion Satheesh Bino. The second phase was at various commando schools across the country like Commando School, Tamil Nadu; National Disaster Management School, CRPF Coimbatore; Counter Insurgency and Anti-terrorism School, Silchar, Assam; Under Water Operation and Diving School, Kochi; and Air Borne Operation Air Force School, New Delhi.
The Thunderbolts personnel, modelled on the National Security Guard and the Special Protection Group, have been trained to engage in air, water and land attacks. The commandos have been trained in jungle warfare, counter-urban insurgency, anti-terrorism, bomb detection and disposal, dog squad training, disaster management, adventure training, underwater operation and air-borne operation.
They were also given training in unarmed combat, mob operations, criminal psychology, cyber crime and are equipped with weapons and gadgets, including MP5 machine guns, Glock 19 pistols, MP5 Kurz submachine guns, ballistic shields, tactical vehicles, Diocom sat phone, bomb robots, Tasers (electroshock weapons) and stun grenades.
“They were not allowed to use the mobile phone during the training period. But to ease the stress they played games like volleyball and football. Competitive matches were also held. They have been practicing yoga also,” says Chief Mentor Trainer of the battalion, Solomon Luckose, who is on deputation from the CRPF.
There was a monthly review by a high-powered committee consisting of the DGP (Police Housing and Construction) K S Jangpangi and IG (Headquarters) Manoj Abraham, who heads the panel that drafted the training module. “The training is not something which has ended with 18 months. It will be continuously reviewed to keep them battle-ready,” says Manoj Abraham.
The commandos of the ‘Thunderbolts’ have four types of uniforms: green camouflage for jungle warfare, blue shade on black for operations, black for night operation and navy blue safari suit for VVIP security. They have special vehicles and a helicopter is expected soon from the Centre.
“The commandos would be deployed in three hubs, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Malappuram. Their service will be available to other states during disasters. They will be kept as a force exclusively to deal with emergencies. But they will not be deployed for law and order duties under any circumstances. After the age of 40 the commandos will be assigned for security duty of Chief Ministers and as trainers of the upcoming batches of Thunderbolts,” says R Sreelekha.
“Their schedule will be 10 days training, 10 days operations and 10 days break. It has been arranged in such way that while one platoon will be on operations the other one will be taking a break,” says Satheesh Bino.
The commando wing has a budget of `12.5 crore and 75 per cent of the capital cost was borne by the Central Government. The infrastructure including buildings and other facilities are yet to be set up.
The state is waiting for the Centre’s sanction to constitute the second battalion of ‘Thunderbolts’. “Apparently, a sub- committee of the Union Cabinet is looking into it,” says Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.