Armed Police Force (Nepal)

The armed police force of Nepal doing morning training at Halchowk, Swoyambhu, Nepal.

The Armed Police Force of Nepal is a paramilitary Land warfare force tasked with counter-insurgency operations in Nepal. It functions as a semi-military wing, and occupies a sort of dual role as both military and law enforcement. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for enlistment is 18 years. Initially founded with a roster of 15,000 police and military personnel, the Armed Police Force is projected to have a corps of 40,000 at the close of 2015.

In February 1996, the ideologically Maoist Communist Party of Nepal operating as the United People's Front of Nepal initiated what was then dubbed the "People's War". Ensuing armed resistance and criminal activity escalating from the conflict motivated King Gyanendra to consider amassing an independent police force. Subsequently, the Armed Police Force was founded on the 24th of October 2001. Late Krishna Mohan Shrestha of the Nepal Police (then serving as Additional Inspector General of Police) was its first Chief.

The current command and control organization of Nepal's army is outlined along the protocol of the 1990 Constitution and its interim constitution. Its standing Inspector General is the Chief of Armed Police Forces, equivalent in rank to a three star Lieutenant General of the Nepal Army.

The fundamental ethos of the Armed Police Force (APF) is Peace, Security, Commitment.

Combat Brigades

The Armed Police Force is a paramilitary force organized as combat brigades. Each combat brigade is responsible for one of the five regions and Kathmandu Valley in the country. APF for its origin and given mandated tasks is a dynamic organization in a sense that multi facet jobs resembling to military and police are embodied into one.

A combat brigade is commanded by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and comprises infantry battalions and independent infantry companies. Depending upon the geographical region of the country each combat brigade may have two to three infantry battalions and up to four or more independent infantry companies.

Senior Superintendents are the regional level commanders for training colleges located at five regions with status of principal.

An infantry battalion commanded by a Superintendent (SP) comprises rifle companies, support company and an administrative company. Deputy Superintendents (DSP) command the companies and the Inspectors command platoons. Sub Inspectors are the platoon second in command. A platoon consists of three sections and a Senior Head Constable (SHC) commands each section.

Combat Support Brigade

The brigadier generals command all the support brigades. Each brigade is responsible for the training, posting and promotion of the other ranks. Each brigade commander is also responsible to advise the IG on matters pertaining to his respective brigade and region.

History

January 22, 2001
      First APF Ordinance Issued
February 5, 2001
      APF Headquarters Established
April 12, 2001
      Second Ordinance Issued
August 22, 2001
      His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev graces Royal Assent to APF
October 23, 2001
      His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev bestowed Armed Police Force Color and emblem of Bagalamukhi Bhagwati.

September 21, 2001
      APF Headquarters moves to NCCN premises at Halchowk, Kathmandu
May 26, 2003
      Cabinet approval of APF regulations with first amendments
December 18, 2003
      His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the new headquarters premises at Halchwok, Kathmandu

Major functions of Armed Police Force

- To control an armed struggle occurred or likely to occur in any part of Nepal.
- To control armed rebellion or separatist activities likely to occurred in any part of Nepal.
- To control terrorist activities occurred or likely to occur in any part of Nepal.
- To control riots or likely to occur in any part of Nepal.
- To render assistance to the relief of natural calamities or epidemic occurred or likely to occur in any part of Nepal.
- To carry relief operation in a case where a citizen of Nepal or any person is abducted and to control heinous or serious crime if such crimes re committed or a disorder of serious nature has occurred or likely to occur in Nepal.
- To maintain border security.
- To provide assistance to Nepalese Army in case of external intervention.
- To provide building security and security if vital utilities and other places of public importance as prescribed by Government of Nepal.
- To provide security to person and prescribed institutions as prescribed by Government of Nepal.
- To carry out other functions as referred to and in this Act,Rules framed here under or as prescribed by other prevailing laws.
- To carry out other functions as prescribed by Government of Nepal from time to time.

Current Department and Commandar

Operations

Nepali Maoist Peoples War

In November 2001, the Nepalese armed forces began military operations against the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). And Armed Police Force has involved in this operations with the birth of is organization alongside with Nepal Army.

Allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses have been leveled by the media against members of the Armed Police Force.

See article Nepalese Civil War

International Peace Keeping Missions

Armed Police Force takes pride in contributing its soldiers in peacekeeping efforts under the coveted blue flag of the United Nations for global peace and security as a whole. Armed Police force involved UN Peace keepings missions are now 32 and more than 2000 armed police force personal has contribute on the mission.

Also the APF has its remarkable contributions with advisers, trainers, monitors and in contingents of FPUs in missions like Iraq (UNGCI), Kosovo (UNMIK), Liberia (UNMIL), Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Haiti (MINISTAH), Sudan (UNMIS) and South Sudan (UNMISS). APF has two Formed APF Units each of 120 personnel in Liberia (UNMIL) since December 2003.

See also

• Nepalese Armed Forces
• Nepal Army
• Nepal Police
• National Investigation Department of Nepal
• APF Club

References

This article contains material from the official website of Armed Police Force of Nepal

External links

• Background Note: Nepal
• Nepal
• Official website of the Nepal Army
• Official website of the Armed Police Force of Nepal