IAF, NSG train Delhi commandos for Games

To thwart any aerial threat during the Commonwealth Games, about 150 personnel of the Delhi Police's Special Weapons and Tactics Team have been trained by the Indian Air Force and the National Security Guard to shoot down suspicious manned and unmanned "flying objects".

Besides select commandos, IPS officers designated as Commonwealth Games venue commanders -- incharge of the venues -- have also been given specialised training by the NSG as well as the IAF.

"The module was aimed at imparting skills to gun down manned and unmanned flying objects. They have received training to detect and detonate remote control flying planes or other aerial object," a senior Delhi Police official said requesting anonymity.

He said the trained commandos will be deployed at vantage points inside and outside 13 Games venues as snipers.

The training session was attended by senior officials from Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces, sources said.

The men were given special lessons to tackle any sort of terror strikes and a host of other situations like hostage crises and stampede, they said.

Over 70 countries are likely to participate in the sporting event scheduled here between October 3 and 14. Delhi Police and central security agencies are striving hard to ensure adequate security for the event, which is being hosted by the country for the first time.

More than one lakh security personnel would be seen in action during the Games including about 175 companies (17,500 personnel) of paramilitary forces, 3,000 commandos, 100 anti sabotage teams, 200 dogs and 15 bomb disposal squads.

In view of the possibility of terror attack, the government has roped in army specialists to operate jammers and signal decryption equipment at the Games venues.

These precautions are aimed at preventing terrorists from triggering explosions by remote control.

Over 1,000 personnel from specialised units of the Army have been inducted for securing venues and communication channels during the Games.