From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: One of oldest forces in the country ,Assam Rifles (AR) has formed specially trained commando teams comprising some select personnel from its ranks for carrying out operations against insurgents in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
The training of these commando teams called “Fast and Intense Strike Teams (FISTs)” was carried out at 21 Sector Assam Rifles CIBS Teliamura in Agartala.
These teams are capable of operating without a break for a duration of 48-72 hours in jungles and mountainous areas and have been imparted special skills for carrying out swift and surgical operations against terrorists, according to a Defence source here.
The idea of these special commando teams was conceived by Maj Gen Satish Dua, Inspector General of AR (East), who himself has been a commando instructor at the elite Indian Army Commando School at Belgaum in Karnataka.
For the purpose of further sharpening the combat skills a competition of these commando teams was conducted from 6th to 9th April at Teliamura base of Assam Rifles. Col PM Reddy from the elite Special Forces of the Indian Army judged the teams’ performance during the competition.
It is important to note that 16 such teams will now be operating in Tripura under 21 Sector Assam Rifles.