The vehicle has been described as a compact combat unit

A mini armoured car, designed for use in confined spaces such as airports and hotels targeted in terror attacks, has gone on display at an Indian arms fair. The battery operated, two million rupee ($45,000) Anti-Terrorist Assault Cart (Atac) is said to resemble a bullet-proof golf buggy with firing ports. It has been specially designed to transport two armed security personnel during or after terror attacks. It was created in the wake of the Mumbai (Bombay) hotel attacks of 2008. The attacks in November 2008 took place in two luxury hotels with gunmen surrounded by security forces for about 60 hours. One hundred and sixty-five people were killed in the attacks, including nine gunmen. The company behind the cart, Metaltech Motor Bodies Pvt Ltd, said the Atac had been designed in the aftermath of the attacks. 'Helplessness' "It can extract civilians or engage terrorists," Metaltech managing director JB Sehrawat told the AFP news agency. "It's a product of our sense of helplessness over the casualties we took in the attacks. We put our heads and hearts together and came up with the Atac." It weighs just under half a tonne, has bullet-proof windows and contains numerous firing ports. Furthermore it is able to negotiate corridors and lifts. Metaltech says the squat and heavily armoured vehicle can also withstand grenade blasts and last for six hours on a single charge - with a top speed of 25km/h (15mph). The company said it was offering a prototype of the vehicle, which drew applause from visitors and military scientists attending the arms fair in Delhi, for trials with the sponsors of the Commonwealth Games, due to be held in the city in November. India has had to reassure foreign countries that those games and next month's hockey World Cup in Delhi will be safe and free of terror attacks. "Given the growing threats, we need nano-engineering such as the Atac," Metaltech Vice President SW Thatte said.



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