An armoured, 360-degree-revolving Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (ATV) has been deployed in the Parliament complex for a trial period for securing it against terrorist attacks.
Due to its small size and capability to rotate on a mounted platform,it has been developed by a Jaipur-based firm as per the directions of the Defence Research and Development Organisation for special counter-terrorist tasks.
The 4.5-tonne military camouflage vehicle, moving on tank-like tyres has a special armour plating which can resist close firing from any modern assault rifle and grenades. It also has enough space for commandos to stock their weapons and ammunition, the officials said.
The vehicle can attain a maximum speed limit of 25 km per hour and is the first of its kind in the small variants of bulletproof vehicles that are required to operate in large built-up areas like Parliament, officials said.
It also sports a flashy police beacon and has an overall armour, including bulletproof glasses, to protect the driver.
Officials said such a vehicle was required by special strike teams of CRPF keeping in view the threat perception to the sensitive facility which had come under a terrorist attack in 2001.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)