The Punjab Police will soon have a special task force on the lines of the National Security Guard (NSG) in each of its six ranges to tackle riots and terror activities. This was announced by Director General of Police P S Gill here on Sunday. He said each range would have a company comprising 80 commandos of the force.

“The need for such a force in the state has been felt in the wake of recent inter-community riots in Jalandhar and the sectarian violence that took place in the aftermath of the Dera Sacha Sauda row. The force will also tackle the activities of some splinter terrorist groups in the state who are attempting a revival of militancy,” he said.

Gill blamed Pakistan for attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab and specifically named Babbar Khalsa as a terrorist group that Pakistan funds and supports.

“We have received intelligence reports of Pakistani forces being active along the Punjab border,” he added.

The DGP claimed that the Punjab Police had so far neutralised nine terrorist modules in the state, which had support from across the border.

“Pakistan’s ISI is actively supporting terrorist groups and is providing them financial help and weapons. Pakistan is also active across the border along Punjab and sending in terrorists, drugs and weapons,” the DGP said.

Regarding the terror threats reportedly received by some Congress leaders in the state, the DGP said the matter was being examined.

On the controversies over alleged out-of-turn promotions in the state police, Gill evaded any direct reply.

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