(a) whether para military forces guarding borders are trained to face biological and chemical weapons challenges;
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) if not, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to deal with biological chemical etc. warfare?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)
(a) to (c): The Government has constituted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) comprising of eight battalions of Central Para Military Forces (CPMFs); i.e. two battalions each from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Each of these eight NDRF battalions will comprise of 18 Specialist Response Teams. Four of these eight battalions are specifically being trained and equipped for responding to nuclear, biological and chemical disasters in the country. These four battalions would be strategically positioned so as to facilitate the expeditious deployment of these battalions to all parts of the country. The process for training of trainers, training of teams and procurement of equipment for the NDRF battalions is already under progress.