Greyhounds set for major redeployment as Maoist threat declines

Hyderabad: In a significant shift in Telangana's internal security strategy, the elite Greyhounds—the spearhead of anti-Maoist operations for over three decades—is set for a major restructuring as insurgency declines. With Maoist activity sharply reduced, the state police are preparing to redeploy a large section of this highly trained force into emerging priority areas such as narcotics control, urban operations and organised crime.Senior officials have initiated plans to shift nearly 80% of the 650-700 Greyhounds personnel to other specialised wings. Commandos trained in jungle warfare are likely to be reassigned to anti-narcotics operations under EAGLE (Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement) and to Hyderabad city task force, where they will serve in commando-style quick reaction units across commissionerates. Sources said consultations have been held with DGP B Shivadhar Reddy on the restructuring roadmap. While the force will not be entirely dismantled, a limited number of units will remain operational to respond to any residual Maoist threat, a senior officer said. The realignment follows a sustained decline in Maoist activity, aided by surrenders of key leaders. Police sources indicate that Muppalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathi remains among the few prominent figures yet to surrender, significantly reducing the need for intensive forest combing operations. Anti-narcotics driveBeyond redeployment, the restructuring signals a broader recalibration of policing priorities. Greyhounds personnel are expected to bolster anti-narcotics enforcement through EAGLE units, while select teams will strengthen urban tactical capabilities in Hyderabad. Parallel changes are also under way within the special intelligence branch, which is likely to expand its focus from anti-Maoist operations to tracking organised crime networks, narcotics supply chains, and arms movement. For over three decades, Greyhounds and intelligence units played a decisive role in curbing extremist activity through sustained operations, including high-risk encounters and deep-forest missions. Their efforts pushed the Maoist movement into what officials describe as its final phase, leading to a steady decline in cadre strength and recruitment. In tiger reservesEstablished in 1989 in undivided Andhra Pradesh by IPS officer KS Vyas, Greyhounds became one of India's most specialised counter-insurgency forces. Its commandos operated across multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Over time, the force's strength has reduced from around 3,000 personnel to its current size, with no fresh recruitment in recent years. Discussions are also under way on deploying Greyhounds personnel in joint anti-poaching squads within tiger reserves, in coordination with the forest department. The proposal aims to utilise their expertise in forest terrain while addressing wildlife crime, ensuring the force remains operationally relevant even as its original mandate recedes.