ADGP M.F. Farooqi Highlights

Jalandhar(Punjab) October 14 /Daljeet Ajnoha :  Highlighting the rich legacy and evolving structure of the Punjab Armed Police (PAP), ADGP M.F. Farooqi, IPS, shared detailed insights during an exclusive interaction with senior correspondent Daljit Ajnoha at the PAP Complex, Jalandhar.ADGP Farooqi informed that the Punjab Armed Police was established in 1941 in Lahore (now in Pakistan) with an initial strength of about 1,000 personnel as an additional police force. After the Partition in 1947, its headquarters were moved to Jalandhar. Following the 1962 Indo-China War and the 1966 reorganization of Punjab, PAP battalions increased to 37, out of which 32 were merged into BSF, CRPF, SSB, and SAP. Punjab retained 5 battalions, which later expanded with the addition of 5 commando and 7 India Reserve battalions during the militancy period.In 2007, with the implementation of the Punjab Police Act, the police force was divided into four cadres — District, Armed, Intelligence, and Technical Services. Currently known as the State Armed Police, PAP functions under the control of the ADGP, who oversees its three major formations: Punjab Armed Police, India Reserve Battalions, and Commando Battalions.At present, PAP has 8 India Reserve Battalions, 7 PAP battalions, and 5 Commando battalions stationed across Punjab in cities including Jalandhar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Pathankot, SAS Nagar, and Bathinda. The current operational strength stands at 13,706 personnel from constable to inspector rank in the armed wing and 12,340 in active field deployment.Since 1991, when PAP was regularized by the state government, a total of 39,171 recruits — 37,521 men and 1,650 women — have received training. Currently, 535 trainees (360 men and 175 women) are undergoing training in three batches. The PAP complex also hosts numerous welfare facilities, including a golf club, DAV school, consumer store, multipurpose hall, horse riding club, shooting range, swimming pool, cricket academy, and computer training center.The PAP is also a hub for sports talent, boasting 455 active players — 328 men and 127 women — from constable to SP rank. These players represent Punjab Police in various international events such as the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games, World Police Games, and national championships. Presently, 320 male and 126 female players are active in 25 and 18 sports disciplines, respectively.ADGP Farooqi emphasized that every citizen should help the underprivileged according to their ability and expressed satisfaction over the success of the state government’s anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh.” He appealed to parents to stay aware of their children’s activities and guide them toward the right path.Encouraging the youth, Farooqi advised them to work diligently and never lose hope in the face of failure. “Success will come with persistence and sincerity,” he said. He further motivated youngsters aspiring to join the armed forces to focus equally on education and physical fitness, assuring that dedicated efforts will always lead them to their rightful goals.