Volume 2 2003 Issue 3

The special intervention units of the Czech police

1.

Introduction

The national Czech counterterrorist unit is stationed in Prague and called URNA. URNA stands for Utvar Rychleho Nasazeni or Rapid Intervention Unit. The unit operates all over Czech Republic and interferes in case of heavy terrorism and banditism, hostage situations and hijackings. URNA is part of the Policie (State Police) and ressorts under the Ministry of Interior.

URNA operators The Policie also has regional units called Zasahova Jednotka or Interference Unit. You can translate Jednotka as Unit and the part Zasa means Attack. We find these units all over Czech Republic each one operating in a certain region.

2. Visit to Zasahova Jednotka Kraje Usti nad Labem In the barracks situated at Teplice (in the region at the German border with Dresden) the men of the unit are preparing themselves for a demonstration. The unit operates in the region of Usti nad Labem, a beautiful region of 5500 km and 830.000 inhabitants. We take off to an old Czech military airbase near the small town of Zatec, 30 km of the town of Most. We are using two VW Transporters 2.5 Syncro, one Skoda Octavia 2.0 Combi and 1.8 Combi. The last one in police colours.

During the interception the trunk of the car is searched At the tarmac the men demonstrate the interception of a suspect car. The striped police vehicle blocks the way of the suspect, while the VW Transporters place themselves aside and behind blocking the escape way and the sight for curious spectators. Within 30 secons they take off with the suspect and his car.

The interception of the suspect car The unit counts 39 operators divided into 3 sections. Each section contains 2 countersnipers, 2 pyrotechnics, 2 divers, 1 medic and 1

helicopter paratrooper. The individual weapon is the Czech pistol CZ 75 9mm Para or the Italian Beretta M92 9mm Para and the machinepistol Heckler & Koch MP5 A3 (also used the model K) with flashlight and infrared. The countersniper is using the Finnish SAKO TRG 22 caliber 308 Winchester (black model) and is being protected during the operation by a team member armed with pistol and HK MP5 with telescope.

A team member protects the countersniper during the action (left) The section is coming into the room during an exercise with real ammo (right) 3. Zasahova Jednotka Prague Besides the URNA Prague also has a Zasahova Jednotka operating in the city area. This unit counts 60 operators and works with sections of 15 men. Each section is standby for 24 hours. They are used in situations with an increased danger of use of firearms, risky search warrants and arrests. We see similar equipment to the unit in Teplice. The unit also guards the scene to prepare an interference of the URNA in Prague. The standby-section goes as backup everywhere in Prague where regular police patrol units are confrontated with dangerous situations or use of firearms.

With a unit member small but dangerous (me on the left with HK MP5)

From left to right : URNA Zasahova Jednotka Kraje Zasahova Jednotka Prague

NEXT ISSUE Icelands Viking Squad Will appear in January 2004

RESPONSIBLE EDITOR Free internet magazine Appears every four months Nothing of this issue may be reproduced for commercial use Edition of Hans Badgecollector Photographs : Own collection; URNA Special thanks to the commander and the operators of Zasahova Jednotka Kraje, Frank M. (Zasahova Jednotka Prague), Romana S. and IPA Teplice specialunits@telenet.be www.specialunits.be