CTF FORCE Counter Terrorism Force 3.91

Anti Terrorist Force (ATF)

In early 1981, some terrorist and sabotage incidents took place in the country to disrupt public peace and order. A bomb blast at Political Agent's PA office Parachinar on 05/01/81, and a blast at National Stadium Karachi on 06/02/81 just before the arrival of Pope John Paul (By AL-Zufiqar and others) called for Intelligence sharing amongst different Law Enforcing Agencies in the country and to take stern action against any terrorists/ saboteurs. In this regard, Anti Terrorist Squad ATS was established in 1981 vide President of Pakistan Order Number 1/8/81-IM dated 30-04-81 to conduct anti terrorist operations. Initially, ATS consisted of 40 personnel (All Ranks) under the command of Special Branch Balochistan at Quetta.





ESTABLISHMENT OF ATF

• ATS was converted into Anti Terrorist Force (ATF) Balochistan vide PPO Balochistan Standing Order No. 7/97/C issued vide 19634- 72/25-1(2)/c dated 13-08-1997 and the strength of ATF was raised to 120 personnel.

• ATF was placed under direct command and control of CPO vide PPO Balochistan Order No. 13142- 71-71/1(16)/A dated 15-06-1998.

• At present, ATF Balochistan consists of about 900 personnel (All Ranks). 11 ATF wings are operating at different places/ Districts to assist the local Police to maintain law and order and public peace in the province.

• ATF is also employed in the High Security Zone at Provincial Headquarters (Quetta), for security of VVIPs/VIPs and Foreign delegates in the province.


FUNCTIONS OF ANTI TERRORIST FORCE (ATF) BALOCHISTAN


(Vide IGP Balochistan Standing Order No19634-72/25-1(2)/C dated 13-08-1997)



Anti Terrorist Force is the operational punch of IGP Balochistan against the criminals and the saboteurs. This force is mainly utilized for operational/ security duties throughout the province to maintain law and order in the province. The main functions of ATF at the time of its establishment were as under:-

• Conducting raids / search operations where possibility of armed encounter is greater.

• To beef up security arrangements especially on :-
– VVIP / VIP visits
– Attack on key points / important installations
– Heinous / sensational crimes
– Law and order crisis ( mass murder, serious ethnic / sectarian situation etc )
• ATF personnel will be briefed thoroughly by the Concerned DPO/ SP before putting them in action.
• ATF will not operate / act independently unless no other options are left.

(Vide IGP Balochistan Memo No 113-118/PA/DIG-HQ dated 09-08-2007)


• ATF will not be used for arrest of political activists, students, labourers and ordinary criminals.
• ATF will not be used for procession duties and as gunmen.
• ATF will perform operational duties under concerned DPO but administrative control of the force will remain with SP/
Commander ATF Balochistan.
TRAINING OF ATF BALOCHISTAN










SSP ATF Balochistan selects the Police officers (different ranks) from all over the province who are physically fit and not more than 35 years of age to undergo basic Anti Terrorist Course at Anti Terrorist Training School Simly, Islamabad or at Elite Police Training School Lahore. After successful completion of the training, such police officers are posted to ATF on deputation basis by the IGP Balochistan. The initial period of deputation to ATF is 03 years which is extendable. The officers posted to ATF are also granted Special Protection Group (SPG) allowance (different for different ranks) and step up promotions as incentive till the time they serve with ATF. During their stay in ATF, all personnel maintain very high standards of physical fitness and professional efficiency. The personnel of ATF also attend different courses/ Refreshers at ATS Simly to maintain/ improve their professional efficiency.



In the current law and order and security scenario, Anti Terrorist Training has become more important due to ongoing wave of terrorism/ extremism across the country. On the directions of IGP Balochistan, ATF also started conducting ATF Short Courses for Balochistan Police / Balochistan Constabulary in 2009 at ATF Complex, Eastern Bypass Quetta in which 750 police officers from all over the province have been imparted Anti Terrorist Training so far. At present, a batch of about 200 Police officers selected from all over the province is undergoing 4th ATF Short Course at ATF Complex Quetta under the supervision of SSP ATF. Furthermore, SSP ATF also coordinates for conducting Anti Terrorist Training Cadres for Balochistan Police at Divisional Battle Schools (Pakistan Army) Quetta Cantonment. ATF Short Course/ ATT Cadre qualified police officers are employed on different security/ VIP duties including High Security Zone at Quetta (Zarghoon Road Quetta).