CRPF Valley QAT

The CRPF Valley Quick Action Team, also known as Valley QAT, is an elite anti-terrorist unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) active in Jammu and Kashmir. The team conducts operations in the region with the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

History
The Valley QAT was initially created in 2011 to escort and provide security for convoys and VIPs. In 2016, an attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar International Airport ended with the team killing all the attackers. After the incident, the team was converted into a specialised urban combat operations force. Since then, the unit has conducted 42 missions leading to the deaths of 77 terrorists, including militant commanders, and has won numerous gallantry awards. In 2021, women were allowed to begin serving with the unit. As of April 2023, the unit has 108 men and 18 women that serve in the Kashmir Valley as a part of the team.

Personnel
The Valley QAT consists of CRPF troopers who volunteer to serve with the unit. Interested volunteers who are deemed to match the physical fitness requirements for serving in the unit have to undergo a stringent selection process and specialised training. Those who pass the training are inducted into the unit and stationed in the valley.

Training
Troopers have to be under 35 years of age in order to serve with the unit. Volunteers who are deemed to match the physical fitness requirements are first shortlisted and posted in a CRPF unit operating inside the Jammu and Kashmir to make themselves familiar with the region. They are then sent to the Counter Insurgency and Terrorism (CIAT) training centre in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, where they are trained in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency for a period of 7 weeks. Additionally, the team is trained in high risk house intervention, raids, cordon and search missions, detection of improvised explosive devices, advanced weapons handling and close quarters combat in conditions similar to the urban terrain of the valley. By the end of their training, troopers are expected to effectively participate in urban counterterrorism operations, endure challenging physical conditions and have knowledge about the tactical aspects of counterterrorism operations. Those who pass the training process are posted with a quick action team unit in the Kashmir Valley.

Gallantry Awards
Deputy Commandant Rahul Mathur was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery during anti-terrorism operations while serving with the QAT.

Anirudh Pratap Singh was presented with the Shaurya Chakra for his bravery during a counterterrorism operation conducted by the QAT.

President Droupadi Murmu presented Shaurya Chakra to Satendra Singh and Amit Kumar for their bravery during counterterrorism operations conducted on 28 June 2021 and 12 October 2020 by the QAT.

Naresh Kumar and Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh have each received 7 and 4 gallantry medals, respectively, for their work while serving in the unit.

The unit was awarded 15 gallantry medals during India's 2020 Independence Day celebrations.