PATHANKOT, Punjab – In a move to strengthen security measures and counter potential threats, the Punjab Police has deployed three Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in Pathankot district.
The QRTs, comprised of police personnel who have undergone specialized training by the Indian Army, are equipped to respond to terror attacks, hostage situations, and other high-risk scenarios.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Qasim Mir, these highly trained units will be stationed in three subdivisions within the border district, which shares a boundary with Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Each QRT consists of 10 police personnel and will be equipped with specialized vehicles fitted with Light Machine Guns (LMGs), along with a range of other specialized equipment.
"The QRTs are specifically designed and operationally trained to handle various situations that may arise, including terror attacks, shootouts, or hostage crises," stated SSP Mir.
He emphasized that the personnel have completed commando courses and have undergone rigorous training drills and simulations under the supervision of the Army.
The deployment of QRTs comes in response to heightened security concerns in the region. Last month, a villager reported sighting two suspicious individuals in the area, prompting the police to raise their alert level.
Additionally, in June, two foreign terrorists were neutralized in a gunfight in neighboring Kathua district.
Pathankot has a history of facing terror threats, having experienced two significant attacks in the past. In 2015, a terror attack occurred in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, and in 2016, the Pathankot air base was targeted.
The establishment of QRTs aims to enhance the police's ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any potential security breaches in the future.
