Delhi police to induct 15 'Parakram' vans for Independence Day security

Manned by NSG-trained drivers and commandos, the Delhi police will add 15 'Parakram' vans to the existing 10. The step has been taken to ramp up security in the run up to the Independence Day. Mandated for anti-terror and other operations warranting armed response, the Parakram vans were launched by the city police in May.

These GPRS-enabled vans are fitted with pan-Delhi wireless communication. Each van is manned by a National Security Guard-trained driver, in-charge and three commandos. Each van is manned by a National Security Guard-trained driver, in-charge and three commandos said that the additional vans will cover all major vulnerable and high footfall points of the city.

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The vans at present are stationed at places including Palika Bazar, Select Citywalk Mall in Saket, Vijay Chowk, Jhandewalan, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, IP Marg, Vasant Kunj Mall, Pacific Mall in Subhash Nagar and Netaji Subhash Place market and mall complex.

Yamuna, west, north and north west Delhi, New Delhi and South Delhi are the places which the additional vans are likely to cover. The Delhi police are also trying to make these vans more tech-savvy and those handling such vehicles better-equipped, said an officer.

We are mulling on providing body-worn cameras to commandos stationed in these vans. Apart from this, the training of personnel has been made more institutionalised, he said. "Every three months, the commandos will undergo training for physical agility. They will also be briefed about the city's vulnerability to terror attacks, emerging terror threats, new modus operandi adopted by terrorists etc," the officer said.

With PTI inputs.

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