State’s first all-women team training for commando ops

Sixteen young constables have joined the Karnataka police Garuda team, and are picking up counter-terror skills at a centre in Bengaluru

Training for the first batch of women Garuda commandos has started at the Centre for Counter Terrorism in Bengaluru.

Located at Kudlu, near Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, the centre is imparting rigorous training to the women, aged 24 to 30.

The trainees are hand-picked, according to Bhaskar Rao, additional director-general of police, internal security division.

They are trained to counter urban terrorism, which involves hostage captures at airports, malls and hotels.

“The level of accuracy is high in women and they are less distracted. They are also agile which helps them excel in rappelling and other
tactics integral to this training,” Bhaskar Rao told Metrolife.

The trainees joined Karnataka police as constables. “They have passed out from the police training school in Mysuru, but we chose them for this training on the basis of their willingness and fitness,” says Madhura Veena M L, superintendent of police, Centre for Counter Terrorism.

The training involves intense and heavy physical work. “For a two-year posting as a Garuda commando, the training comprises running with weights, clearing obstacles, strengthening of the upper and lower body, and jungle survival techniques,” she explains.

The women are put through a weapons training course where they are taught firing, besides stripping and assembling weapons, all blindfolded.

“These weapons could be anything from an AK-47, Colt, MP5 (submachine gun), INSAS rifle, and Glock pistol. The trainees are also taught how to detect and defuse explosive devices,” explains Madhura.

The training is not easy. “In the past, we have had many men who have given up half way and returned to their earlier postings. These women are into the first month of training, and have been able to sustain it till now.

Overcoming fear is a large part of being able to adjust to this training,” she says.

The trainees are put through motivational sessions to help them overcome fear.

“After they complete their two-year stint as Garuda commandos, they get a lot of respect when they return to their jurisdictional police stations,” says Madhura.

Similar all-women commandos in the country are the 36-member Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team trained by the NSG for anti-terrorism duty in Delhi, and the 34-member CRPF team CoBRA, inducted into jungle warfare for anti-Naxal operations.

‘Makes you tough’

Women who are training to be Garuda Commandos are thrilled to be a part of this team. Roja S N, a native of Sorakunte in Shira taluk of Tumakuru district, says, “This training makes you tough, both from within and from the outside.” Rizwana, whose father is a construction labourer, has completed her BA. “My family was against me joining the police, but this has been a childhood dream. I am glad I am a part of this training,” she says.