OCTOPUS PLANS DEAL WITH AIRLINE FIRMS

The Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations (Octopus) is now thinking of having a tie-up with airline companies for flying its commandos to any part of the State to tackle hostage situations and hijacking.

Octopus sources said that they are working on an arrangement with airline companies like the National Security Guards. NSG can use the first available aircraft to airlift its commandos.

The Octopus headquarters is situated in Hyderabad and a strike unit is positioned at Tirupati due to the significance of the Tirumala temple.

“We don’t have commando units in places like Vishakapatnam, Vijayawada and in towns where major temples, thermal powers stations and irrigation projects are located. At present the Octopus has to take the bus or train or hire a chopper which is time consuming. We are working out an arrangement like the NSG,” a senior official said.

Meanwhile, attempts to buy a jet pack flying machine for the Octopus has not succeeded.

“We invited tenders in November 2012 for a jet pack flying machine. But no company came forward. Some multinational companies are developing the product, but they have only prototypes. We have to again invite tenders in 2013-14. By that time the companies are hopeful of developing them for use,” an official said.