LITHUANIAN POLICE ANTI-TERRORIST OPERATIONS UNIT “ARAS”

Lithuanian Police Anti-terrorist Operations Unit “Aras” is a separate specialized police institution, comprised of Special Team, Explosive Search and Neutralization Division and 3 companies, one of them located in Klaipėda. The unit also has specialized reconnaissance, negotiation, sniper, climber and diver groups that are necessary to carry out the main functions ascribed to the unit.


The main functions of the unit “
Aras” are as follows:
- organize, manage and implement special antiterrorist operations inside Lithuania;
- rescue hostages and detain dangerous armed criminals under extreme or high danger circumstances;
- search for and neutralize improvised explosive devices and military explosives, used for terrorist or criminal purposes;
- under their competence participate while performing various operative actions, detaining persons, suspected to have performed or planning to commit a crime;
- collect and analyze information related to terrorist threats, cooperate with professional institutions of other countries in this sphere;
- participate in organizing and implementing plans and programs for antiterrorist measures, and other legal acts establishing terrorism prevention.


Unit “Aras” is provided with modern arms and equipment for successful work. There are modern weapons with special sights, night vision equipment, that allow tasks to be performed at any time of the day, thermo visors, equipment for explosives search, modern equipment for divers, special armour-plated vests, shields and helmets among them.
Nevertheless, all weapons are worthless without competent people. Currently the nucleus of the unit is comprised of highly qualified combatants, who have acquired physical and psychological training and are prepared for working under extreme circumstances.
A lot of experience was gained when the officers participated in several courses for special unit response to critical situations organized by the US State Department, which were included in the international program for the war against terrorism. During these exercises they showed good preparation, and received a high evaluation from the organizers of the courses. Officers from the unit participated in many other courses organized not only in the USA, but also by law enforcement institutions of other countries.