The Andhra Pradesh Police commando contingent has been declared the Best State Police Commando Unit in India, following the conclusion of the 16th All India Police Commando Competition (AIPCC). Held at the National Security Guard (NSG) garrison in Manesar, Haryana, the event ran from February 14 to February 28, 2026, evaluating tactical readiness across various state and central armed forces.
The AP unit—drawn from the Greyhounds and OCTOPUS divisions—was awarded four trophies, including the Best State Police Commando Team Trophy, the Black Hawk Trophy for marksmanship, and the Ranneeti Trophy for operational leadership, alongside a bronze medal for overall performance.
Competitive Metrics and Operational Assessment
The competition serves as a National Counter Terrorism benchmark, testing specialized units under high-pressure, realistic scenarios. The performance of these teams is judged by a technical committee tasked with measuring specific skill sets necessary for internal security mandates.
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| Award / Category | Distinction |
|---|---|
| Best State Commando Unit | Andhra Pradesh Police |
| Black Hawk Trophy | Excellence in Shooting |
| Ranneeti Trophy | Operational Leadership |
| Overall Performance | Bronze Medal |
The assessment framework includes precision sniping, tactical planning, survival endurance, and special intervention drills.
These events are organized under the aegis of the All India Police Sports Control Board to refine the operational standards of state-level forces in alignment with national Capacity Building strategies.
Contextualizing Institutional Drills
This competition is a recurring annual fixture intended to harmonize the tactical capabilities of India’s various police and paramilitary branches. While the NSG acts as the host and central authority, the event functions as a site for state forces to measure their internal Operational Standards against their peers.
The transition from the 15th iteration (hosted at the CRPF campus in 2025) to this year’s event at the NSG campus indicates a consistent focus on inter-agency Tactical Proficiency. By participating in these high-stakes assessments, state police forces aim to validate the training regimens of their elite units, such as Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhounds and OCTOPUS, ensuring they remain compatible with national counter-terrorism protocols. DGP Harish Kumar Gupta framed the recognition as a result of consistent professional excellence and disciplinary training, reflecting the broader institutional drive to maintain state-level combat readiness.
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