Jalandhar:- During an exclusive conversation with senior journalist Daljit Ajnoha, ADGP MF Farooqui, IPS, posted at PAP Complex, Jalandhar, he gave detailed information about the history and current structure of PAP (Punjab Armed Police). He said that PAP was established in Lahore (now Pakistan) in 1941 as an “Additional Police” with a contingent of about one thousand jawans.
During the partition of the country in 1947, its headquarters was shifted from Lahore to Jalandhar. After the Chinese invasion in 1962 and the partition of Punjab in 1966, the number of PAP battalions had increased to 37, out of which 32 battalions were merged with BSF, CRPF, SSB and SAP and only 5 battalions remained with Punjab.
During the insurgency in Punjab, 5 Commando battalions and 7 India Reserve battalions were raised for other duties including banks. With the implementation of the Punjab Police Act of 2007, the Punjab Police was divided into four cadres — District, Armed, Intelligence and Technical Services.
At present, the PAP is known as the State Armed Police and is headed by the ADGP, under whom the full control of the Punjab Armed Police, India Reserve battalions and Commando battalions is vested. The operational command of the commando battalions is with the ADGP Commando and SOG.
At present, 8 PAP, 7 IRB and 5 Commando battalions are deployed. These battalions are present in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Pathankot, SAS Nagar and Bathinda. 7547 are posted in the Armed Wing from Constable to Inspector and 6159 in IRB — total 13706.
Similarly, on 20 November 1991, the State Government regularized the PAP permanently. Since 1991 till now, 37521 boys and 1650 girls — total 39171 have been trained. Currently, 360 boys and 175 girls — a total of 535 — are undergoing training in three batches of 2025. He said that the campus has facilities like PAP Golf Club, DAV School, Consumer Store, Multipurpose Hall, Horse Riding Club, Shooting Range, Swimming Pool, Cricket Academy and Computer Training Centre for the families of the jawans and officers.
Central Sports Punjab Police currently has 328 men and 127 women — a total of 455 active players. Out of these, 9 are at the Olympic level, 10 in the Asian and Commonwealth Games, 20 in international tournaments, 18 in the World Police Games, 71 at the National level and 307 in the All India Police Games. Currently, 320 men are participating in 25 sports and 126 women in 18 sports.
Farooqui said during the conversation that every section of the society should help the needy according to their ability. The campaign being run by the state government against drugs, “Ward against Drugs”, is proving to be very meaningful. He appealed to the parents to pay attention to their children and make them aware of the good and bad things.
He told the youth that if they ever face failure in life, then they should not be disappointed now, but should continue to work harder – the destination will come to them. He also said that if any youth wants to join any force, then along with studies, they should also pay attention to their physical fitness. According to the ability of someone, he will get his position.