NSG experts train Bihar cops in defusing explosives

PATNA: Experts from the National Security Guards (NSG) and National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) are jointly imparting training to the Bihar police personnel in defusing high intensity IED explosives. The training programme, code named 'Course one', was inaugurated at the BMP-16 headquarters on Tuesday.
About half a dozen NSG personnel led by Captain Shiraj Kapoor will train 50 police personnel from constable to SI ranks from different districts about the details of improvised explosive devices used by Maoists and terrorists and how to defuse them.The training comprises both practical and theory. It will continue for one month.
Speaking on the occasion, DG (training) P N Rai said it would help in infusing a sense of security among the police personnel who risk their lives in such operations. Recalling the Patna serial blasts in October 2013, Rai said when bombs were blasted at Patna Junction, the policemen simply rushed to the site without any knowhow of handling a bomb. It was God's grace that no harm was done to them. It was then realized that Bihar police must have sufficient number of personnel with the technical knowhow of handling IEDs. This exercise is being done with a view to modernize Bihar Police, he added.
ADG S K Bharadwaj exhorted the policemen to have the willpower while undertaking training for disposing of bombs. He said the bomb disposal squad has an important role in police fight against the Maoists. "I am sure this training would change the security scenario of the state as it would create a good force of bomb disposal experts," Bharadwaj said and added that such short-term training would also be imparted to SPs and DIGs in the field.
Principal of Constable Training School, Simultalla, P N Mishra and commandant, BMP-16, Shivkumar Jha also emphasized the need of such training programmes. IG (training) Amit Kumar, DIG (central range) Ajitabh and other police officers were also present on the occasion.
The specialized training programme includes identifying IEDs, defusing them, how to search for bombs and vacate the place where they are kept, types of bombs, protection from bomb and how to protect the constables and havildars from landmines.