UP ATS Commandos Akash Yadav and Rakesh Kumar Secure Gold in National Sniper Competition
Commandos Akash Yadav and Rakesh Kumar from the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) clinched the Gold Medal in the Best Sniper Detachment Event at the 16th All India Police Standalone Sniper Competition. This event took place at the National Security Guard (NSG) Training Centre, spanning from February 16 to 28, 2026.
This esteemed competition brought together elite sniper commandos from 17 central and state police forces across India, all aiming to showcase their tactical skills, endurance, and precision in marksmanship.
The Sniper Detachment Event requires a two-member team, comprising a shooter and a spotter. Their performance is assessed based on various criteria including:
| Team coordination |
| Target identification and engagement |
| Analysis of environmental conditions |
| Precision firing under operational scenarios |
The UP ATS pair excelled in the competition, demonstrating remarkable accuracy, discipline, and teamwork to emerge victorious.
Commando Akash Yadav had previously been acknowledged for his shooting skills, earning the Best Firer award during the Basic Sniper Course at the NSG in 2025.
This recent accomplishment underscores the high level of training and readiness within the UP ATS, cementing its status as one of India’s premier counter-terrorism forces.
Their success further emphasizes the critical role of advanced sniper training and precision shooting in contemporary counter-terrorism efforts.
