# Counter Terrorism Response Unit

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 (HKPF).

## History

The CTRU was the first police unit in Asia dedicated to counterterrorism and hostage rescue patrols.
In June 2022, the police force publicly unveiled a grey-blue uniform for the CTRU.
In May 2024, the HKPF announced that the CTRU will absorb the manpower of the Railway Response Team (RRT).

## Duties

The CTRU executes tasks by the counterterrorism strategies, which is 'Defense, protection, guard, investigation and restoration', of the Police Force and assists the SDU if necessary.
The jurisdiction of the CTRU covers the whole of HKSAR, except for the Hong Kong International Airport which is under the protection of Airport Security Unit.
The CTRU is responsible for the security of government buildings, LOCPG, Diplomatic missions, infrastructures, ports, railways, gathering places (including HKCEC) and any structures with potential terrorist threats.
The CTRU can be tasked "to handle bomb threats, escort explosives or CBRN materials".
It also tasked with anti-irregular military, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security on locations that are at risk of attack or terrorism, raiding quickly to capture or kill (if necessary) high-value targets, supporting crowd control (if necessary), and tactical special operations.

## Organization

* 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)
*** Action Squad (Cougar)
*** Action Squad (Trooper)
*** Action Squad (Ranger)
*** Action Squad (Unicorn)
** Training and development

## Vehicle

* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 518CDI
* Toyota HiAce
* Toyota Land Cruiser

## Equipment
### Personal equipment

* 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
** 3M Peltor Tactical 6 Headset
** Safariland LIBERATOR IV Headset
** Ops-Core AMP Headset
** EARMOUR M31 Series Headset (For former RRT members)
* 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
** BAKER BALLISTIC custom-made Ballistic Shield
** ATFY custom made Ballistic Shield
* Axe

### Communication equipment

* Motorola MTP850Ex
* Survival lamps
* NV goggles
* Thermal scopes

### Rescue equipment

* Tactical Axe
* Ladder

### Medical equipment

* First aid
* Powerheart AED G3
* Pulse oximeter

### Weapons

| Name | Country of origin | Type | Notes |
| Glock 17 | Austria | Semi-automatic pistol | Standard issue sidearm |
| Glock 19 | Austria | Semi-automatic pistol | Used by female members and during plainclothes duties |
| Heckler & Koch MP5 | Germany | Submachine gun | Standard issue SMG |
| SIG MPX | United States | Submachine gun | Inherited from the now merged Railway Response Team |
| SIG Sauer 516 | United States | Assault rifle | Issued since 2017 |