The Elite Police (), also known as the "Elite Police Force" or "Police Commandos",
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.
History
The Elite Force was created on the order of the then Punjab
Chief Minister
A chief minister is an elected or appointed head of government of – in most instances – a sub-national entity, for instance an administrative subdivision or federal constituent entity. Examples include a state (and sometimes a union ter ...
Shahbaz Sharif in 1997–1998.
In 2004, more funds were allocated for its expansion, and 5000 new personnel were inducted. The Elite Force was allocated to new checkpoints across Punjab intended to curb street crime.
Their work drew attention in the wake of the
2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in
Lahore
Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
.
Organization
The Elite Police Force is headed by the Additional Inspector-General of Police, Elite Police Force, Punjab, Lahore. Currently, Kunwar Shahrukh,
Additional Inspector-General of Police is leading Elite Police Police Force in Punjab.
Training
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".
Members of the Elite Force are trained for six months at the Elite Police Training School (EPTS) at
Badian, Lahore, by Pakistan's Special police trainers in
personal combat,
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
,
crowd control,
close quarters battle (CQB), and
reconnaissance
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
.
They are trained in martial arts and boxing practice during training period.
Equipment
Elite Police members are often seen in black and green
track suits.
Small arms
Miscellaneous
*
POF Eye
* Hand Grenades
* Smoke Grenades
* Binoculars
*
Flak jackets
* Night vision goggles
Head of Organization
The highest rank in the Elite Police is the rank of
Additional Inspector General of Police. The following is the list of the Additional Inspector Generals of Police who have headed this unit.
Notable operations
The Elite Police were extensively involved in neutralizing enemy combatants who had laid siege to the
Manawan Police Training School during the
2009 Lahore police academy attacks.
Mumtaz Qadri, the bodyguard who shot and killed Punjab governor
Salmaan Taseer in Islamabad on January 4, 2011 was a member of the Elite Police.
On August 12, 2017 a twelve year old boy was crushed to death by Elite Force Vehicle accompanying Mr.
Nawaz Sharif (ex-prime minister).
None of the vehicles including rescue vehicles or the vehicle responsible stopped or took the boy to the hospital. Family of the victim was also pressurized later to omit vehicle registration number from first information report to police.
See also
*
List of Special Response Units
*
Elite Police Academy
References
External links
Official websiteOfficial website Elite Police Punjab Pakistan Sargodha Elite force
{{Pakistani special forces
Non-military counterterrorist organizations
Punjab Police (Pakistan)
Police special forces of Pakistan
Organizations established in 1998
1998 establishments in Pakistan