CRPF exploring technology to track looted weapons

NEW DELHI: In what could be a game-changer for the security forces, CRPF - the country's largest paramilitary force- is exploring technology that could track and disable weapons looted by Maoists in Left-wing extremism-affected districts and terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles/guns like AK rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles and revolvers used by the security forces in counter-insurgency and anti-Maoist operations are the ones used by the ultras in ambushes and attacks on the camps.

Official sources told TOI that CRPF is in touch with some private companies which deal with technology which could provide GPS tracker/RFID chip or biometric software so that weapons snatched by ultras could be tracked and rendered useless.

CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar confirmed that the force is looking at such technology. He, however, said that this is in planning stage.

Presently, some countries like the US use GPS technology in some of their weapons.

Home minister Rajnath Singh after the April 24 Maoist attack in Sukma, had floated the idea of having a technology to track weapons. However, several officials TOI spoke to were sceptical of such an idea saying it is not so easy to bring this kind of technology in weapons.