Patna, Dec. 14: Bihar police is set to get a helicopter from the Centre for its anti-Naxalite operations.

Director-general of police (DGP) Abhayanand today said the chopper was likely to be inducted in the state police force by the end of December.

The chopper was scheduled to reach Bihar in the first week of this month.

“The delivery of the chopper was delayed for want of a clearance from the directorate-general of civil aviation,” he said.

The DGP said the chopper would help the police carry out intensive operations in areas considered stronghold of the red rebels.

“The chopper would be used in rescue operations also,” he said, adding that the government has pledged to provide an additional chopper.

Union home secretary R.K. Singh, who visited the state last month, had pledged to provide a chopper to the Bihar government and three additional battalions of para-military force for concerted operations against the Maoists.

Sources in the state police headquarters said at present, only one additional battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force had been provided to the state.

“The remaining two battalions would be provided later,” an officer posted at the state police headquarters said.