CRPF Earns First-Ever Podium Finish, Taking Third at Visfotak Kavach–10 Exercise
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) finished third at the national-level Visfotak Kavach–10 Exercise, held from November 9 to 14, 2026, securing a podium place in the competition for the first time. The result was reported in New Delhi on November 14.
The six-day exercise brought together State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from across India. It tested teams’ operational preparedness, technical expertise and specialised capabilities in responding to explosive threats.
Participants competed in 11 categories covering explosive detection, identification, investigation and counter-IED operations. The challenges included detecting and neutralising improvised explosive devices (IEDs), identifying explosives, conducting post-blast investigations, IED fabrication and K9-based explosive detection.
The tasks assessed technical knowledge and practical skills, as well as decision-making and readiness in scenarios involving explosive threats. The CRPF contingent competed against teams from the country’s State Police Forces and CAPFs.
The team was mentored by the Institute of IED Management (IIM), CRPF, Pune. The institute provided specialised training and technical guidance to help prepare participants for the exercise’s range of explosive-threat management disciplines.
The third-place finish is the CRPF’s first podium result at Visfotak Kavach. The force has emphasised specialised training, technical proficiency and operational preparedness as part of its efforts to counter security challenges involving explosives.
As India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, the CRPF undertakes internal security operations, counter-insurgency duties and law-and-order responsibilities in challenging environments. The ability to detect and neutralise IEDs is especially important for personnel serving in areas affected by insurgency and Left-Wing Extremism, where explosive devices pose risks to both security forces and civilians.
The exercise result highlights the CRPF’s technical capabilities in specialised explosive-threat management and the role of training in preparing its personnel for such operations.
