The elite Indian counter-terror force National Security Guard celebrated its 25th anniversary at a function in Haryana on Friday.
On Friday, the commandos presented a spectacular display of their firepower and skill as they recreated the scene of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The commandos displayed their skills as they enacted the rescue operations at representative structures of Leopold Cafe, Taj Hotel, Nariman House and Cama hospital, which were attacked during the terror attacks.
Union Home Minister P Chidamabram, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai, chiefs of various central paramilitary forces and other security agencies were present during the presentations at the NSG garrison in Haryana.
The NSG was set up in 1984 as a federal contingency deployment force to tackle all challenges of terrorism in the country. The primary role of the force is to combat terrorism in all forms terrorists, hijackers, kidnappers etc -- where the situation is beyond the capacity of the state police and other central police forces.
Modelled on the SAS of UK and GSG-9 of Germany, the NSG has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group -- comprising army personnel -- and the Special Ranger Groups -- comprising personnel drawn from the central para military forces and the state police forces.
Text: PTI
Images: Adnan Abidi/ Reuters
Better weapons, latest technology
The NSG is in the process of procuring a wide range of latest weaponry and gadgets including door busters, taking cue from its experience during the Mumbai terror attacks.
Addressing commandos at their garrison in Manesar in Haryana, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "The NSG is going to induct high-tech and sophisticated weapons in the coming days."
"Based on our experience in Mumbai, we have identified certain devices and gadgets like night sight equipment and door busters. We are procuring them," said National Security Guard Director-General N P S Aulakh.
Aulakh also said the new procurement would have more sophisticated guns and the present armoury of the force would be enhanced.
Crack forces use door busters to blast locked doors to rescue hostages or neutralise terrorists.Expanding the NSG
The Director General refuted reports of the army's reluctance to spare more officers for the force, saying "they are (army officers) coming in phases and we are putting them on training."
Aulakh also said while the army is in expansion mode, "they also have shortage of officers, but they (army) are providing us with officers".
The DG also did not rule out the possibility of having a dedicated aircraft for the NSG, but said "at present we do not feel its need".
"After the 26/11 attacks, we can now charter any civilian flight for any operation," he added.Poised to grow
Earlier while delivering his speech during the silver jubilee celebrations of the NSG, Chidambaram said, "The NSG will grow as a potent force against terrorism. Every day, every week and every month we are adding to our capacity to deal with terror and defend India's honour, sovereignty and security."
Paying tributes to the martyrs of the force, he said, "We also remember the supreme sacrifices of NSG commandos Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Hawaldar Gajender Singh and the entire force who fought valiantly to neutralise the terrorists in Mumbai in November last year."Four new hubs in pipeline
The four new hubs of the force will also be "fully operational" by middle of December this year, he said.
While the hubs at Kolkata and Hyderabad will be upgraded to the level of regional centres with a strength of 5,000 men each, the other two hubs at Mumbai and Chennai will have 241 commandos each.
The Mumbai and Hyderabad hubs, having residential and training facilities, will start functioning by November 30, while the hubs in Kolkata and Chennai would start operating by December 15, Aulakh said.
The bomb disposal and detection squads will also be made operational soon at the new hubs which are working in association with respective state governments' units now, he added.
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