Airport cops get AK rifles

Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal has also put commandos at strategic locations in the city to be on guard for the next few months.

At the airport, all sub-inspectors, head constables and constables have the big gun and the brief from above is to remain alert round the clock. A senior official said the commandos are helping out wherever they can.

Police sources said the Delhi airport is under constant watch of three police stations — IGI, Palam and Mahipalpur, with 150 officers in each.

There are more than 1,200 commandoes in the Delhi Police, sources said, and they are all on duty — in the markets, police headquarters, rail stations, in the Lutyens’ zone and five-star hotels. Several officers in the districts too are now armed with the AK-47 or SLR rifles.

The city’s police officers are used to 9mm pistols, 3.3-bore rifles, SLRs and the Insas rifle for general security while constables only carry a baton.

Apart from the sophisticated guns, the police have also ordered for 130 new vans. These would be Chevrolet Taveras, and are expected soon. Bulletproof jackets have also been provided to officers.

A senior official said, “Terrorists use sophisticated weapons. We have to fend them off in minutes in case of an attack and therefore need the right ammunition.”

The Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Anti Sabotage Teams (ASTs) have also been stationed at the airport and other important places, sources said.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the paramilitary agency in charge of security in the airport premises, does its own patrolling inside. Armed with sniffer dogs and

bomb squads, nearly 2,200 personnel are on duty. From outside, the airport is under the charge of the Delhi Police.

For the security of prominent people and important installations in the city, the commandos of the Special Protection Group (SPG) are being assisted by the Delhi Police. Information is being shared by the minute.

The security unit of Delhi Police, consisting of some 8,000 officers including 250 well-trained commandos, has also been made part of these elaborate arrangements at vulnerable places. These commandos carry AK-47 rifles, MP 5 guns and a very small and sophisticated pocket pistol.