Most private security guards do not undergo any specific training to control terror activities and are deployed merely on the basis of their physical fitness, the official said.

Private security agencies have hailed the ATS decision taken in consultation with the state's home department.

'We welcome the decision. The initiative by the Uttar Pradesh ATS will keep a check on terror activities to a considerable extent,' Armaan Khan of Federal Securities, a prominent private security agency of Uttar Pradesh, told IANS.

'The move will enhance the government's human resource capacity to deal with terror strikes,' he added.

Even as no deadline has been fixed for launching the 60-hour training programme, sources in ATS said that the home department has directed them to initiate the programme 'at the earliest'.

Sources said that the 60-hour training programme would be launched in a phased manner in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

At the time of its launch, the training will cover security guards of Lucknow and several districts of western Uttar Pradesh, they added.

Reacting to the decision taken by the ATS, retired inspector-general of state police S.R. Darapuri told IANS: 'It seems that after undergoing the course, security guards will become more vigilant and aware to check crime.'

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)