- 421 corporals of Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF) pass out at an impressive ceremony in city
The first batch of 421 corporals, including 16 women, of the Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF), passed out from the Elite Police Training School in the city on Saturday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the chief guest of the ceremony while Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, federal and provincial ministers and several prominent personalities attended the ceremony.
An exercise was also arranged on the occasion in which all skills, including latest techniques, investigation unit, intelligence unit, latest forensic lab, bomb disposal unit and modern weapons were used.
The corporals have been trained on the basis of modern techniques, knowledge and practical skills which are needed to eliminate terrorism in a real sense.
The CTF has been raised under the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) which was converted after revamping of Crime Investigation Department as the lead agency in Punjab to counter terrorism.
The CTF has been raised in CTD with the induction of 1,182 corporals and they have been divided into three batches from which the first batch has completed its training, the second one is undertaking its Special Training Program while the third batch is also on the way.
These corporals are being trained in view the multi dimensional challenges of terrorism and required response thereof.
The standard training period for the corporals is nine months which includes common training program of seven months and special training program of two months. The CTF corporals are taught eight modules in Counter Terrorism Program and then they are segregated into specialized wings of special operations, intelligence and investigation.
It is worth mentioning the Turkish government has extended its full cooperation in the raining of these corporals by sending 45 senior officers of Turkish National Police for training the corporals in the specialised legs of intelligence, operations and investigation. After imparting quality training to the first batch of corporals, the Turkish trainers are training the second batch of corporals. These officers of TNP have also trained 56 officers of Punjab Police as master trainers both in Pakistan as well as in Turkey.
The Pakistan Army also supported the program and provided trainers for the training of the CTF. The prime minister also gave away awards to the corporals on their outstanding performance during the course.