Elite police ‘raptor’ squad went undercover to target radical Hong Kong protesters, insiders say
- Deputy police chief Chris Tang says 15 protesters arrested in ‘decoy operation’ in Causeway Bay on Sunday night
- Another change in tactics meant suspects were brought to holding centre near border with mainland to prevent other police stations being besieged
An elite squad of police officers went undercover as anti-government protesters, infiltrating the ranks of radicals to perform arrests in a first move of its kind amid weeks of civil unrest that have rocked Hong Kong, according to force insiders.
The decision came with another change in tactics following arrests, where suspects were brought to a holding centre near the border with mainland China to “prevent other police stations being besieged”.
Sources said police launched the undercover operation on Sunday to target radicals called martyrs or the pink team. The agents are members of the Special Tactical Squad, known as raptors, who comprise officers from the counterterrorism division and airport security unit.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Chris Tang Ping-keung said 15 protesters were arrested in a decoy operation in Causeway Bay on Sunday night.
Tang, who refused to say undercover police were disguised as protesters, said the officers involved were impersonating different characters and he did not reveal how many agents were involved.
He said it was an operation that targeted extremely violent rioters.