Force One (police)

History

In the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the Government of Maharashtra decided to form a new, specialised force to tackle terror. It was commissioned on 24 November 2009 on SRPF Ground of suburban Goregaon, Mumbai. The initial training of the unit was made under the help and supervision of Israeli Special Forces (Yamam). From Maharashtra Police, 1996 batch IPS Officer Chiranjeev Prasad was tasked as SP- Force One and played a crucial role in raising the force. After two months of basic training by Israeli specialists, Force One was founded. Force One headquarters is to be spread over 96 acre inside the lush green Aarey Milk Colony at Goregaon in northwest Mumbai, and the first batch has 216 elite commandos.

Out of 3,000 applications from the state police force who volunteered to be part of the force - many of whom were part of 26/11 response team - 261 personnel were selected and trained in Pune, apart from the College of Military Engineering and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Recruitment and training

The recruitment for Force One is undertaken among young volunteers from Maharashtra Police who are already well trained. Only around 4-5 percent of total applicants succeed. The maximum entry age for constabulary personnel is 28 years and is 35 years for officers.

The commandos of Force One are trained at Maharashtra Intelligence Academy, the College of Military Engineering, Pune, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in the use of sophisticated arms and explosives, and are known for their rapid shooting skills. While the NSG has a regional hub in Mumbai, Force One is expected to be part of the initial response to a terror strike in Mumbai.

Influence on other units

The Force One have trained the police force of Mozambique.

Force One trains all the Quick Response Teams of Maharashtra Police and are involved in training the Railway Protection Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Equipment

Weapons

Vehicles

• Mahindra Marksman
• Tata LATC
• Mahindra Rakshak

References

References

1. (2009-11-09). "Eagles have landed". [[Mid-Day]].
2. (Apr 26, 2010). "What the helmet!".
3. "Force One commandos undergo jungle training".
4. (25 November 2009). "Force One cops can't stand heat?". [[The Times of India]].
5. (10 November 2009). "Part of 26/11 resistance, they've turned commandos at Force One". [[The Indian Express]].
6. Shaikh, Mustafa. (November 25, 2018). "Force One: How Maharashtra Police's commando unit has evolved over the years".
7. (15 November 2009). "First batch of Force One commando out on job in Maharashtra". [[The Times of India]].
8. (25 November 2009). "A smart anti-terror force for Mumbai now". [[The Hindu]].
9. (25 November 2009). "Maha's elite counter terror unit Force One becomes operational". [[Business Standard]].
10. (2018-11-16). "How the 26/11 attacks gave rise to Maharashtra's newest commando unit".
11. Our Special Correspondent. (2008-12-18). "The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Force One, state-of-art guns to guard Mumbai". Telegraphindia.com.
12. (2009-10-10). "Is Force 1 good enough?". Hindustan Times.
13. (June 29, 2014). "Mumbai cops armed with rocket launchers, sniper rifles post 26/11: RTI".
14. (25 November 2009). "Maha's elite counter terror unit Force One becomes operational". Business Standard.