Hollywood tips for Force One

State's elite commando unit will have action films, video clips of terror combat in its curriculum

Hollywood tips for Force One

State's elite commando unit will have action films, video clips of terror combat in its curriculum

For the first time in the history of training a commando force, action movies from Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as news clips of terror attacks, will form a part of the curriculum. Receiving this training will be Maharashtra's own NSG Force One formed after the 26/11 terror attacks.

Films like the Keanu Reeves-Sandra Bullock-starrer Speed and the Colin Farrell-starrer S.W.A.T are on the list, as are clips of Monday's Lahore hostage drama, the November 26 Mumbai terror attacks, the Glasgow Airport terror strike of 2007 and the Indian Airlines IC-814 hijack in 1999.

The 300-odd cadets will undergo an induction-training programme in Vadachi Wadi in Pune and at the SRPF Group 1 grounds in Goregaon. Ahmed Javed, additional director general of police (establishment), clarified that the cadets would undergo a pre-induction course and those who qualify would be absorbed into Force One. The actual training will begin later.

Retired Col Mahendra Pratap Choudhary said "Earlier, showing movies or news clips was never a part of the training syllabus for commandos. This is a very good idea."u00a0u00a0

Said a senior officer, "The film and news clips will be shown after dinner. It will not only help the cadets relax, but also motivate them to learn newer techniques, which will be helpful during live combat."

A senior NSG official, based in Delhi, added, "Usually, we restrict the training to case studies, but accommodating films in the curriculum helps in boosting the morale of the young cadets and in enhancing their skills. It's a very good idea."

Leading units

Javed said that the new curriculum would ensure Force One emerges as one of the leading units in India. At least 300 men and another 25 officers will be part of the elite force. The upper age limit for the cadets is 25 years and for officers is 35 years, explained a senior IPS officer.

Senior police officers in the design committee team are yet to finalise the dress code and logo for Force One, but they hinted that the uniform would be a single piece and the colour would be dark blue. The force will be stationed in Mumbai initially.