Commandos Akash Yadav and Rakesh Kumar of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) won the Gold Medal in the Best Sniper Detachment Event at the 16th All India Police Standalone Sniper Competition, held at the National Security Guard (NSG) Training Centre from February 16 to 28, 2026.
The prestigious competition saw selected sniper commandos from 17 central and state police forces across India competing to demonstrate their tactical expertise, endurance and precision marksmanship.
Teamwork and Precision Key to Victory
The Sniper Detachment Event typically involves a two-member team consisting of a shooter and a spotter, where performance is evaluated based on:
- Team coordination
- Target identification and engagement
- Analysis of environmental conditions
- Precision firing under operational scenarios
The UP ATS duo delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing exceptional accuracy, discipline and coordination to secure the top honour in the competition.
Continued Excellence in Sniper Training
Commando Akash Yadav has previously been recognised for his marksmanship, having been awarded the Best Firer title during the Basic Sniper Course conducted by the NSG in 2025.
Their latest achievement highlights the high level of training and operational readiness within the UP ATS, reinforcing its reputation as one of the country’s leading counter-terrorism units.
The victory also underscores the importance of advanced sniper training and precision shooting capabilities in modern counter-terrorism operations.
