# Counter Terrorism Response Unit

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Hong Kong police tactical unit

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Counter Terrorism Response Unit 反恐特勤隊 (Chinese) Current CTRU patch Active July 2009 – present Country Hong Kong China Agency Hong Kong Police Force Type Police tactical unit Role Counter-terrorism Law enforcement Part of Counter Terrorism and Major Incidents Bureau[1] Motto 關懷與勇毅 Cares and Dares[2] Abbreviation CTRU Structure Officers 141 (2011) [3]

The **Counter Terrorism Response Unit** (**CTRU**) (Simplified Chinese: **反恐特勤队**; Traditional Chinese: **反恐特勤隊**) is a police tactical unit of the [Hong Kong Police Force](/source/Hong_Kong_Police_Force) (HKPF). It was the first police unit in Asia dedicated to counterterrorism and hostage rescue patrols.[4]

## History

The CTRU was established in July 2009 with support from the HKSAR government.[5] In December 2010, the CTRU was deployed on its first operation to protect the East Asian Games with the SDU and VIP Protection Unit.[6]

In June 2022, the police force publicly unveiled a grey-blue uniform for the CTRU.[7]

In May 2024, the HKPF announced that the Railway Response Team (RRT) would be absorbed into the CTRU.[8] The RRT had been established in 2018.[9][10]

## Duties

CTRU operators arrest a suspect during a public event in 2021.

The jurisdiction of the CTRU covers the whole of HKSAR, except for the [Hong Kong International Airport](/source/Hong_Kong_International_Airport) which is under the protection of [Airport Security Unit](/source/Airport_Security_Unit_(Hong_Kong)). The CTRU executes tasks by the counterterrorism strategies, which is 'Defense, protection, guard, investigation and restoration', of the Police Force and assists the [SDU](/source/Special_Duties_Unit) if necessary.

The CTRU is responsible for the security of government buildings, [LOCPG](/source/Hong_Kong_Liaison_Office), [Diplomatic missions](/source/Diplomatic_mission), infrastructures, ports, railways, gathering places (including [HKCEC](/source/Hong_Kong_Convention_and_Exhibition_Centre)) and any structures with potential terrorist threats.[11] The unit is tasked "to handle bomb threats, escort explosives or CBRN materials".[12][13]

## Organization

The CTRU's structure is reportedly based on the NYPD's Hercules Team.[14]

- CTRU Headquarters: receiving direct orders from the Counter-terrorism Department. - Operation: At the beginning of CTRU's establishment, the number of the force is projected to reach 141 (reached in 2012)[15][3] - Action Squad (**C**ougar) - Action Squad (**T**rooper) - Action Squad (**R**anger) - Action Squad (**U**nicorn)[16] - Training and development

### Training

Prospective CTRU recruits must attend 10 weeks of intensive training courses.[17]

## Equipment

### Personal equipment

- [Combat helmet](/source/Combat_helmet) - Team Wendy Exfil LTP Ballistic - Garanti Kompozit Ballistic Protective Helmet (ACH HIGH-CUT MODEL) - Ops-Core FAST XP High Cut (For former RRT members)

- [Noise-cancelling headphones](/source/Noise-cancelling_headphones) - 3M Peltor Tactical 6 Headset - [Safariland](/source/Safariland) LIBERATOR IV Headset - Ops-Core AMP Headset - EARMOUR M31 Series Headset (For former RRT members)

- [Gas mask](/source/Gas_mask) - Avon S10 - Avon fm54

- Tactical vest - ESKI custom made Plate Carrier - C2R-MOR Ultralite Plate Carrier - Ops Rapid Responder Armor Plate Carrier (For former RRT members)

- Danner 15404, LOWA

- [Ballistic shield](/source/Ballistic_shield) - BAKER BALLISTIC custom-made Ballistic Shield - ATFY custom made Ballistic Shield

- [Axe](/source/Axe)

- [Mark 3 Knife](/source/Mark_3_Knife)

### Communication equipment

- [Motorola](/source/Motorola) MTP850Ex

- Survival lamps

- NV goggles

- Thermal scopes

### Rescue equipment

- Tactical Axe[18]

- Ladder

### Medical equipment

- [First aid](/source/First_aid)

- Powerheart AED G3

- [Pulse oximeter](/source/Pulse_oximetry)

### Weapons

Name Country of origin Type Notes References Glock 17 Austria Semi-automatic pistol Standard issue [19] Glock 19 Used by female members and during plainclothes duties Heckler & Koch MP5 Germany Submachine gun Standard issue SIG MPX United States Inherited from the now merged Railway Response Team CS/LS7 PRC Issued since 2026 [20] SIG 516 United States Assault rifle Issued since 2017 [21]

### Vehicle

- [Mercedes-Benz Sprinter](/source/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter) 518CDI

- [Toyota HiAce](/source/Toyota_HiAce)

- [Toyota Land Cruiser](/source/Toyota_Land_Cruiser)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["'A' Department (Operations) : Operations Wing"](https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/01_about_us/os_os.html). *[Hong Kong Police Force](/source/Hong_Kong_Police_Force)*. October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["CTRU selection"](https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/915/eng/n26.htm). *OffBeat: The Newspaper of the Hong Kong Police Force*. 17 March 2010 to 30 March 2010 (915). Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PoliceReview2011_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PoliceReview2011_3-1) ["Operations - Hong Kong Police Review 2011"](https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/en/pdf/12-27_Operation.pdf) (PDF). *Hong Kong Police Force*. p. 21. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Hong Kong Police Force (May 2013). ["反恐特勤隊職能講座"](https://www.police.gov.hk/info/jpc/413/jc08.html) [Seminar on the Functions of Anti-Terrorism Special Forces]. *少年警訊月刊* (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/standing-up-to-modern-terrorism-how-the-hong-kong-police-force-strives-to-keep-hong-kong-one-of-the-worlds-safest-cities/](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/standing-up-to-modern-terrorism-how-the-hong-kong-police-force-strives-to-keep-hong-kong-one-of-the-worlds-safest-cities/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2009/140884.htm](https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2009/140884.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Police unveil new uniform for counter-terrorism units"](https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1654827-20220627.htm). *RTHK*. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ma, Jess (9 May 2024). ["Hong Kong police railway unit in line for revamp as growing MTR network prompts strategy rethink"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3261928/hong-kong-police-railway-district-line-revamp-growing-mtr-network-forces-strategy-rethink). *[South China Morning Post](/source/South_China_Morning_Post)*.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Police Public Relations Branch. ["Railway Response Team established"](https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/1126/eng/7476.html). *Offbeat – the electronic newspaper of the Royal Hong Kong Police*. No. 1126: 27 December 2018 to 15 January 2019. [Hong Kong Police Force](/source/Hong_Kong_Police_Force). Retrieved 19 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Leung, Christy (21 December 2018). ["Crack squad of heavily armed anti-terror policemen to cover Hong Kong's rail network from Sunday"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2179141/crack-squad-heavily-armed-anti-terror-policemen-cover). *[South China Morning Post](/source/South_China_Morning_Post)*.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["探索警方另一絕密部隊 「反恐特勤組」現身"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131228193847/http://news.stheadline.com/dailynews/content_hk/2011/08/26/159300.asp) [Another top-secret unit of the Exploration Force, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, appeared]. *Sing Tao Headlines* (in Chinese). 26 August 2010. Archived from [the original](http://news.stheadline.com/dailynews/content_hk/2011/08/26/159300.asp) on 28 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["CTRU - Force's latest CT initiative"](https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/910/eng/n06.htm). *OffBeat: The Newspaper of the Hong Kong Police Force*. 23 December 2009 to 12 January 2010 (910). Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["警方反恐隊增兵 港恐襲升級？"](https://eastweek.my-magazine.me/main/7341) [Police anti-terrorist team increases troops, terrorist attacks in Hong Kong escalate?]. *East Week* (第357期 Book A 【城中人．城中事). Chinese. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [https://archive.today/20141021015242/http://www.scmp.com/article/696423/new-anti-terror-unit-patrol-city](https://archive.today/20141021015242/http://www.scmp.com/article/696423/new-anti-terror-unit-patrol-city)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["確保「零」恐襲 反恐隊隨時出擊"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131225022952/http://news.singtao.ca/toronto/2012-03-19/hongkong1332146496d3761025.html) [Ensure zero terrorist attacks, counter-terrorism teams are ready to strike]. *Sing Tao Daily* (in Chinese). 19 March 2012. Archived from [the original](http://news.singtao.ca/toronto/2012-03-19/hongkong1332146496d3761025.html) on 25 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["獨角獸作隊徽吉祥物"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131228135939/http://life.mingpao.com/cfm/dailynews3b.cfm?File=20091223/nalgc/gcb2.txt) [Unicorn as the team emblem mascot]. *Ming Pao* (in Chinese). 12 December 2013. Archived from [the original](http://life.mingpao.com/cfm/dailynews3b.cfm?File=20091223/nalgc/gcb2.txt) on 28 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["反恐特勤隊有幾巴閉？"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150122061334/https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%B7%B4%E9%96%89-215834443.html) [How Many Counter-Terrorism Task Forces are there?]. *Sing Tao Daily* (in Chinese). 5 May 2014. Archived from [the original](https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%B7%B4%E9%96%89-215834443.html) on 22 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PoliceReview2011-2_18-0)** ["Professional Equipment - Hong Kong Police Review 2011"](https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/chs/pdf/SC_54-55_equipment.pdf) (PDF). *Hong Kong Police Force*. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PoliceReview2011-22_19-0)** ["Professional Equipment - Hong Kong Police Review 2011"](https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/chs/pdf/SC_54-55_equipment.pdf) (PDF). *Hong Kong Police Force*. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [\[1\]](https://www.passiontimes.hk/article/04-19-2026/141943)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** 魯嘉裕 洪琦琦 (28 February 2017). ["【 CTRU出擊・有片・多圖】模擬恐襲發生 反恐特勤隊新槍截擊槍手"](https://www.hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9C%83%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E/74900/ctru%E5%87%BA%E6%93%8A-%E6%9C%89%E7%89%87-%E5%A4%9A%E5%9C%96-%E6%A8%A1%E6%93%AC%E6%81%90%E8%A5%B2%E7%99%BC%E7%94%9F-%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%96%B0%E6%A7%8D%E6%88%AA%E6%93%8A%E6%A7%8D%E6%89%8B) [[CTRU Sorties, Films, Multiple Pictures] Simulate a terrorist attack Counter-Terrorism Special Force's new gun interceptor]. *[HK01](/source/HK01)* (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 April 2023.

## External links

- Media related to [Counter Terrorism Response Unit](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Counter_Terrorism_Response_Unit) at Wikimedia Commons

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Counter Terrorism Response Unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter_Terrorism_Response_Unit) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter_Terrorism_Response_Unit?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.