India, April 29 -- Following the recent terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam, the state government has decided to set up a Maharashtra Tourism Security Force to be stationed at major sites.

The force will be launched on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar festival set to be held at the Satara hill station from May 2 to 4.

Personnel for the force will be recruited from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation. In this pilot phase, the force will be operational until August 31.

The first batch of 25 personnel will be deputed at Mahabaleshwar. Senior officers will be appointed by the Satara district superintendent of police to monitor and oversee the force. The expenditure will be borne by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corpora...