CRPF Valley Quick Action Team
Quick Action Team Chest Insignia
Quick Action Team Chest Insignia
Active2011 (2011)–present[1]
CountryIndia
AgencyCRPF
TypeTactical Unit
Role
Operations jurisdictionKashmir Valley
Part ofSrinagar Sector [2]
HeadquartersBrein Nishat, Srinagar
Common nameValley QAT
AbbreviationQAT
Structure
Sworn Troopers126 (2023)[3]
Commanders
Current
commander		Inspector General Ajay Kumar Yadav[2]
Notable
commanders		Inspector General Charu Sinha [4]
Website
https://crpf.gov.in/srinagar-sector.html

The CRPF Valley Quick Action Team, also known as Valley QAT, is an elite anti-terrorist unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) active in Jammu and Kashmir. The team conducts operations in the region with the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.[5][6]

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 that serve in the Kashmir Valley as a part of the team.[3]

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 tough 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 tough 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 Combat helmet United StatesIn service
PATKA (Model- 3) Patka Helmet of the Indian army Combat helmet  IndiaIn service
TATA Advanced Combat Helmet Tata Ballistic helmetCombat helmet IndiaIn service
Glock    Semi-automatic pistol AustriaGlock 17 and Glock 19 used as primary service pistols
TAVOR X-95 Assault Rifle/Carbine IsraelGenerally used for special operations and not for patrol
Heckler & Koch MP5 MP5 Submachine GunSubmachine 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 its variants AR-M1F, AR-M1F41 and AR-M5F41 by some troopers
TAR-21 Assault Rifle India In service, used by some troopers as an alternative to X95 and AR-M1
Heckler & Koch PSG1 Sniper rifle GermanyStatus:Used along with Steyr SSG1
Steyr SSG 69 Sniper rifle GermanyUsed along with PSG1
Vidhwansak Anti-material rifle IndiaUsed for shooting through materials from long range in urban operations
FN Minimi Light machine gun Belgium2nd 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 UBGLUnderbarrel grenade launcher (40mm) IndiaMain 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/M4Recoilless rifle (84mm) India
 Sweden
M3 and M4 variants used for urban anti-terrorism operations.

Vehicles

VehicleOriginFunction
Sherpa Light FranceArmored 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 an counterterrorism operation conducted by the QAT.[12]

Naresh Kumar and Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh have received 7 and 4 gallantry medals each for their work while serving in the unit.

The unit was awarded 15 gallantry medals during India's 2020 Independence Day celebrations.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sharma, Ashish (17 February 2023). "Valiantly in the Valley". Open.
  2. 1 2 "Srinagar Sector". crpf.gov.in.
  3. 1 2 Mondal, Manisha; Bhardwaj, Urjita (30 April 2023). "Sindoor, bindi, AK-47—an intimate look at CRPF women's lives in J&K, Manipur, Chhattisgarh". The Print.
  4. ↑ "Who is Charu Sinha,the first female IPS officer to head CRPF's Srinagar sector?". Times of India.
  5. ↑ "CRPF's elite anti-terrorist unit 'Valley QAT' to have women commandos soon". Zee News. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "Elite 'Valley QAT' of CRPF responsible for eliminating terrorists in J-K, to have women commandos soon". ANI News. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "Pampore attack: Syed Salahuddin's son among those rescued from JKEDI". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  8. ↑ Tiwari, Ashish (13 July 2022). "All About CRPF's Elite Anti-Terrorist Unit 'Valley QAT' And How To Become A QAT Commando". SSBCrackExams - India's No.1 Learning Platform For Defence Aspirants. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 https://crpf.gov.in/writereaddata/images/pdf/907092018.pdf
  10. ↑ "Hero's Detail". crpf.gov.in. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  11. ↑ President Kovind presents Kirti Chakra to Shri Rahul Mathur, Deputy Commandant, CRPF, retrieved 8 June 2022
  12. ↑ President Kovind presents Shaurya Chakra to Shri Anirudh Pratap Singh, retrieved 8 June 2022
  13. ↑ "CRPF's elite anti-terrorist unit 'Valley QAT' to have women commandos soon". Zee News. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
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