CRPF Valley QAT
Counterterrorism unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The CRPF Valley Quick Action Team is a tactical unit of the Central Reserve Police Force, specialized in counterterrorism in urban areas. It is active in the city of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It was raised specifically to counter and eliminate militants in the city of Srinagar. It conducts operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.[5][6]
| CRPF Valley Quick Action Team | |
|---|---|
Quick Action Team Chest Insignia | |
| Active | 2011–present[1] |
| Country | India |
| Agency | CRPF |
| Type | Tactical Unit |
| Role |
|
| Operations jurisdiction | Kashmir Valley |
| Headquarters | Brein Nishat, Srinagar |
| Common name | Valley QAT |
| Structure | |
| Active personnel | 126 (2023)[2] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Inspector General Ajay Kumar Yadav[3] |
| Notable commanders | Inspector General Charu Sinha [4] |
History
The Valley QAT was initially created in 2011 to escort and provide security for convoys and VIPs. In 2016, an attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar International Airport ended with the team killing all the attackers. After the incident, the team was converted into a specialised urban combat operations force.[7][1] Since then, the unit has conducted 42 missions leading to the deaths of 77 terrorists, including militant commanders, and has won numerous gallantry awards.[1] In 2021, women were allowed to begin serving with the unit. As of April 2023, the unit has 108 men and 18 women who serve in the Kashmir Valley as a part of the team.[2]
Personnel
The Valley QAT consists of CRPF troopers who volunteer to serve with the unit. Interested volunteers who are deemed to match the physical fitness requirements for serving in the unit have to undergo a stringent selection process and specialised training. Those who pass the training are inducted into the unit and stationed in the valley.[8]
Training
Troopers have to be under 35 years of age in order to serve with the unit.[9] Volunteers who are deemed to match the physical fitness requirements are first shortlisted and posted in a CRPF unit operating inside the Jammu and Kashmir to make themselves familiar with the region. They are then sent to the Counter Insurgency and Terrorism (CIAT) training centre in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, where they are trained in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency for a period of 7 weeks.[9] Additionally, the team is trained in high-risk house intervention, raids, cordon and search missions, detection of improvised explosive devices, advanced weapons handling, and close quarters combat in conditions similar to the urban terrain of the valley. By the end of their training, troopers are expected to effectively participate in urban counterterrorism operations, endure challenging physical conditions, and have knowledge about the tactical aspects of counterterrorism operations.[9] Those who pass the training process are posted with a quick action team unit in the Kashmir Valley.
Equipment
Weapons and protective gear
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exfil High Cut Ballistic Helmet | .jpg) |
Combat helmet |  United States | In service. |
| Patka(Model- 3) |  |
Combat helmet |  India | In service. |
| TATA Advanced Combat Helmet |  | Combat helmet | India | In service. |
| Glock |  |
Semi-automatic pistol |  Austria | Glock 17 and Glock 19 used as primary service pistols. |
| TAVOR X-95 |  | Assault Rifle/Carbine |  Israel | Generally used for special operations and not for patrol. |
| Heckler & Koch MP5 |  | Submachine gun |  West Germany |
Standard submachine gun of the QAT. |
| JVPC |  | Submachine gun | India |
Used along with MP5. |
| AR-M1 |  | Assault Rifle |  Bulgaria |
Modified versions used as service rifles along with their variants AR-M1F, AR-M1F41, and AR-M5F41 by some troopers. |
| Trichy assault rifle |  | Assault Rifle | India |
In service, used by some troopers as an alternative to X95 and AR-M1. |
| Heckler & Koch PSG1 |  | Sniper rifle | Germany | Status:Used along with Steyr SSG1. |
| Steyr SSG 69 |  | Sniper rifle | Germany | Used along with PSG1. |
| Vidhwansak |  | Anti-material rifle | India | Used for shooting through materials from long range in urban operations. |
| FN Minimi |  | Light machine gun |  Belgium | 2nd gen version used for providing overwhelming firepower in close quarters combat. |
| Shivalik |  |
Hand grenade | India |
Used as a hand grenade and with rifles. |
| ARDE 40MM UBGL |  | Underbarrel grenade launcher (40mm) | India | Main underbarrel grenade launcher of the QAT. |
| Multi Grenade Launcher 40mm | Multi grenade launcher (40mm) | India South Africa | Semi-automatic six-shot 40mm x 46mm low velocity grenade launcher, with extended range used in counterterrorism operations. | |
| Carl Gustav M3/M4 |  | Recoilless rifle (84mm) | India Sweden | M3 and M4 variants used for urban anti-terrorism operations. |
Vehicles
| Vehicle | Origin | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sherpa Light |  France | Armored Transport Vehicle |
| Mahindra Marksman | India | |
| Ashok Leyland Critical Response Vehicle | India |
Gallantry Awards
Deputy Commandant Rahul Mathur was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery during anti-terrorism operations while serving with the QAT.[10][11] Anirudh Pratap Singh was presented with the Shaurya Chakra for his bravery during a counterterrorism operation conducted by the QAT.[12]
President Droupadi Murmu presented Shaurya Chakra to Satendra Singh and Amit Kumar for their bravery during counterterrorism operations conducted on 28 June 2021 and 12 October 2020 by the QAT.[13] Naresh Kumar and Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh have each received 7 and 4 gallantry medals, respectively, for their service with the unit. The unit was awarded 15 gallantry medals during India's 2020 Independence Day celebrations.[14]