CORDON & SEARCH OPERATION (CASO)

Question 1

1. Security - what is the security measures taken by hostiles to ensure their security?

Answer 1

1. They do not visit unfriendly village
2. Hostiles do not move in uniforms and carry weapons openly in the village.
3. Hostiles normally enter the village after last light and depart before the first light.
4. When there is a danger of being apprehended, they fire few shot and try to escape and if they fail to escape they mix up with locals.
5. Villagers are sent out as sentries to unobtrusively signal the approach of SF.

Question 2

2. What kinds of tasks may be given to the reserve party? EE-NUP

Answer 2

1. To enforce curfew.
2. To establish an OP to oversee the village during the operation.
3. To note changes in facial expressions of the peoples and suspicious movements.
4. To pursue escaping hostiles.
5. For unforeseen eventualities.

Question 3

3. What are the measures to mitigate the hardships caused to the villagers during CASO?
   CAR- TV-Women

Answer 3

1. Carrying out CASO based on definite information. In the absence of definite information, the whole exercise will result in causing unnecessary hardship to the people. The civilians do support the actions of SF if some hostile is apprehended and incriminating evidence found in the village.
2. Troops should conduct themselves in a businesslike manner.
3. Appropriate civic action should be carried out.
4. Religious institutions should never be desecrated.
5. Women and children should be screened first so that they can continue with household work. When people are detained, provision of water and food should be made.
6. Village elders and women should be respected.

Question 4

4. Search - Once the cordon has been established, a thorough search of the village should be carried out. Suspected houses should be searched first followed by remaining houses. What are the points to be ensured before the search?

Answer 4

1. Confirm readiness of cordon.
2. Divide area of search, boundaries between search team and indicate important search targets to team leaders a first sight.
3. Select and indicate location of command team and reserve.
4. Ensure there is no cross firing.
5. Collect village persons and segregate them.
6. Location of OPs with binoculars at key locations to watch movements and other activities while search is in progress.

Question 5

5. What kinds of responsibilities can be given to the police during CASO? P3ITS

Answer 5

1. Provide up-to-date information of the location to be searched and reconnoiter it in advance.
2. Provide guides for the cordon parties if so required.
3. Provide trained interrogators, if required, to evaluate the information on the spot so as to react immediately any worthwhile lead.
4. Search parties will have representatives of the police.
5. Traffic control. (Especially in urban areas)