Inspector General of Police (Administration) Anil Sinha said the training of the first batch began Monday.

He said the 120 cops, including 20 officers, began their "military style training" at the Danapur Cantonment near Patna.

This is the first time that such a training programme is being undertaken. The group will also be sent to police training centres in Warrengate in Manipur and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh where they will be acquainted with state-of-the-art techniques in guerrilla warfare, quick response actions, bomb defusing and other skills, Sinha said.

The training in Manipur and Madhya Pradesh would begin in September.

Another similar move to combat Maoists and increasing crime is the formation of the Special Auxiliary Police (SAP), comprising retired army personnel. The elite team of experienced soldiers, who have joined hands with state police, began operations a few months ago.

Till now, about 3,500 retired Indian Army personnel have been recruited for the SAP and have been deployed at various sensitive areas across Bihar.

"The SAP is a successful experiment in dealing with criminals and Maoists," said Abhayanand, additional director general of police.

The idea of the SAP had been mooted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in February.