Field-level RPF officers put through specialised course on Improvised Explosive Devices detection

Field-level officers of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) are being put through a specialised course on detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and other explosive substances to sensitise them and update their skills to respond swiftly during grave crisis situations.

Field-level officers of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) are being put through a specialised course on detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and other explosive substances to sensitise them and update their skills to respond swiftly during grave crisis situations.

The RPF Zonal Training Centre in Tiruchi serves as the establishment for conducting this specialised course for officers in the rank of assistant sub-inspector, sub-inspector and inspector.  The centre is the lone training establishment of the RPF in the Southern Railway zone imparting training to new recruits, besides carrying out refresher courses for the serving officers.

The five-day crash course on IEDs detection is conducted for a select group of about 40 men and women officers in batches by a team of instructors. The RPF officers are handpicked for the specialised course, which includes practical demonstrations on identification of IEDs and other explosive substances, besides on the ways of evacuating people to safe areas, said a senior RPF officer.

Over 500 RPF and Railway Protection Special Force officers have undergone the specialised course at the centre in Tiruchi since 2023 when it was started. So far, 15 batches have been covered with the latest one being in December 2024, the officer said.

Models of different explosives, including landmines, tiffin bombs, RDX, and accessories have been kept on display at the training centre.  Practical training on conducting searches in train, vehicle and building, access control among others are conducted by taking the participants to the Tiruchi railway junction or Thanjavur railway junction.  Important case of IED blasts that took place in different parts of the country are explained to the participants.

The ways of securing the place and evacuating the public to safe places, ways of handling bomb threat situations are putforth to the participants. The Tiruchi training centre has been named the centre of excellence for conducting the specialised IED course for field-level RPF officers. The instructors have been trained in specialised security establishments, including at the National Security Guards in Haryana.

The main objective of holding this course is to sensitise the officers and explain to them the do’s and don’ts while dealing with crisis situations and during bomb threats amid changing security scenario, the officers said. The course is being conducted under the guidance of the Senior Divisional Security Commissioner - cum- Principal, RPF Zonal Training Centre.