“Prevention is better than cure,” said the RBP chief. “We have to prepare for the future, since terrorist activities are coming with a series of bomb blasts here, and we know what happened in Mumbai.”

Besides specialised counter terrorism response, the unit will support local police during serious breakdown of law and order, and shore up security duties.

“They’ll be an elite force, which will deal in very specialised areas, like Cobra in other countries or NSG (national security guard) in India,” said Colonel Namgyel.

The police chief said that the resources saved from doing away with the system of orderly or ‘ata’ system (Nu 1.1 million a month) could be used to set up the special force.

Well-built, well-qualified and medically fit personnel would be chosen for the special force. It could start with around 178 personnel, said the police chief. “Since the department is special, the responsibility itself will be special, and accordingly will require special training.”

On the special force’s cooperation with the Royal Bhutan Army and bodyguard, the police chief said that he could not say at the moment, as it had to be set up first within RBP. But he said that the armed forces would have to work together. The RBP currently has about 4,000 individuals in service across the 20 dzongkhags. It also has in place an intelligence bureau.