BENGALURU: The Karnataka capital has been on the terror radar for long. National Investigating Agency (NIA) officials arrested six suspected terrorists in Bengaluru, Mangalore and Tumkur recently. For the state’s anti-terror commandos from the Garuda unit, every day is packed with action as they have to be on the guard 365 days of the year, day or night.
Keeping fighting fit comes at a cost for these young commandos chosen from the Karnataka State Police. Each one in the Garuda team undergoes rigorous training under the supervision of a serving army officer deputed to the state police unit by the Army headquarters.
These commandos are also trained with the best of the forces and facilities across the country, including National Security Guard (NSG) facility, army commandos and other special forces. At their training camp on the outskirts of the city, the commandos get busy every day with their morning drill.
All commandos report to senior officials on duty and gather at the ground for a physical fitness routine.
On a normal day, their routine starts early when they report for the morning drill, followed by firing practice. On many days, it goes on till the middle of the night when they get into action with their night-vision devices.
Since the force is primarily meant for urban anti-terror missions, night-vision and close-range firing practice are an essential part of their training.
The force was raised in 2010 and has police personnel drawn from different units across the state.
Armed to win
Commandos Are Equipped With Advanced weapons akin to what National Security Guard (NSG) has Bulletproof vehicles
A safe blast container trolley
Special ambulance
Fitness diet
High-calorie food designed by a nutritionist is served to the commandos