To guard VVIPs, CISF will get high-tech weaponry ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election

To guard VVIPs, CISF will get high-tech weaponry ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election



The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that guards VVIPs and major airports across the country is all set to get high-tech weaponry ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

This technological boost is aimed to ensure that security of high-profile politicians is not compromised in the run-up to the general election as leaders intensify their campaigning and crisscross the country.

The CISF currently guards 74 VVIPs, including Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah, Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, among others. This list is likely to increase in the coming days. The Union Home Ministry is expected to ask CISF to provide security to VVIPs who are currently being guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Indo Tibetan Border Police.

India Today TV has learnt that the CISF has ordered around 500 X-95 combat weapons and laser pointed Glock pistols. At present, CISF troops use small arms like pistol, AK-47, Insas, MP-5 and Carbine guns. The X-95 assault rifles will be procured from Israel and can prove to be a game changer in close combat fight, something that CISF specialises in.


WHY NEW WEAPONS?

Among the central paramilitary forces, the CRPF is already using the X-95 assault rifles. It can be used as an assault rifle, Carbine or sub-machine gun where interchangeability does not require much time. Besides this, the gun can be used in counter-terrorism operations in forested regions, as well as for closed-armed combat in cities.

Meanwhile, Glock pistols will be used for close combat fight. The laser
in these pistols can be used at night when visibility becomes an issue.

The central paramilitary force is also planning to equip all its quick reaction teams with the latest weaponry. Besides guarding VVIPs, CISF is also tasked to man 61 airports and the Delhi Metro.

In order to enhance precision firing, the CISF is planning to procure two containerised tubular shooting ranges. The portable shooting range will be developed in a 40 feet container for live indoor firing practice.

At present, the CISF has to depend on firing ranges of the Army and the Border Security Force for practice sessions. But the force has moved a proposal to get its own indoor shooting range in the Delhi NCR, which is likely to cost around Rs 20 crore.

"We often have to rely on others for practice. This does not suffice our training needs. An exclusive range will give our personnel more time to practice precision shooting," a senior CISF officer said.

Comments