‘Kerala Thunder Bolts,’ the first commando force of the Kerala Police under the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) will begin operations by the end of this month.
Two companies of Thunder Bolts, having 160 personnel, were being recruited after two years of rigorous and specialised training, R. Sreelekha ADGP (Armed Police Battalion) told presspersons here today.
Forty more personnel are now being trained and would be absorbed into the force later, she said.
The passing-out parade of the commandos will be held on August 24. A tactical demonstration of the first batch would be held at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here tomorrow in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
The commando force would have skills and expertise similar to the National Security Guards and the Special Protection Group. CRPF Assistant Commandant L. Solomon had been working as the mentor trainer of the force, Sreelekha said.
The commandos are in the 18-21 age group and had been imparted training in battle obstacles assault course, mob operation, jungle warfare, anti-terrorism, counter urban insurgency, bomb detection and disposal, disaster management, underwater and airborne operations.
Their equipment is of world standards and includes tactical vests, light weight bullet jackets, tactical boots, hi-tech communication devices, satellite phones, night vision devices and specially designed helmets, she said.