Odisha police’s counter-insurgency weapons draw crowd

Bhubaneswar: Want to have a look at weapons like 9mm pistol-calibre carbine from Czech Republic, capable of firing 1,150 rounds per minute, or Bulgarian-made under-barrel grenade launcher, that have been wielded in the state police’s mission against Maoist insurgents?

The ongoing Nyaya Sanhita exhibition on IDCO Exhibition Ground here is then the place to visit, as the state police are displaying a vast collection of advanced arms at a dedicated stall of the Special Operations Group (SOG), offering citizens a rare and striking glimpse into the formidable arsenal that underpinned the force’s dominance over left-wing extremism over the years.


Sanjeeb Panda, ADG (anti-Naxal operations), said the stall has become a major crowd-puller as visitors are allowed to take selfies and photos with the real weapons.

Apart from the carbine from Czech Republic, weighing 2.7kg and Bulgarian-made under-barrel grenade launcher (1.5 kg), a 7.62mm assault rifle (3.6kg) with a firing capacity of 600 rounds per minute; the Israeli Micro Uzi (2kg), a 9mm submachine gun capable of 1,400 rounds per minute, the Swiss SG 553 carbine assault rifle (3.3kg), Germany’s MP5K submachine gun (2kg), and India’s own 7.62mm Trichy assault rifle (3.7kg) are among the highlights.

One of the most talked-about exhibits is the DRDO-developed corner shot weapon. Mounted with a Glock 19, it allows operators to see, aim and fire at targets without exposing themselves to counter-attack.

Designed for counter-insurgency and terror operations, the weapon’s rotating camera — capable of a 65-degree sweep — enables shooters to engage targets hidden around corners. With its bent barrel and straight butt, it eliminates the need to step into the line of fire, making it a game-changer in tactical operations.
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