National Security Guards: The "back-up" security blanket of India

The National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country.Thus the primary role of this Force is to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions, and the State Police and other Central Police Forces cannot cope up with the situation. The NSG is a Force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional situations. The Force is not designed to undertake the functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces of the Union of India. The NSG is a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to handle anti-hijack operations, rescue operations and to provide tough support to the Central Para Military Forces in dealing with anti-terrorist activities in whatever shape they may take place in different parts of the country

Commandos have also received training at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to combat the situations arising out of nuclear, biological and chemical threats. The Black Cats of NSG take birth from a process of training, retraining and enhanced training of a specialist nature. There are always endings and fresh beginnings.Though NSG was primarily raised as a Quick Reaction Contingency Force to deal with anti-hijacking, hostage rescue and combating terrorist activities, the Force also provides protection to high risk dignitaries, conducts anti sabotage checks at venues of public gatherings and performs Sky Marshal duties in domestic as well international flights.NSG is a light unto itself.The vastness of the country, existing security scenario, development of industries, increase in air traffic within and across borders etc have generated an increasing requirement for greater and faster response from the NSG in their duties or in reaching a trouble spot. A time may not be far when the NSG may have to spread its wings elsewhere as well in the country. The National Security Guard, like its symbol, the Sudarshan Chakra, will always be ready with its razor edge sharpness and preparedness to deal with any call of duty, anywhere, any time with surgical precision.

The NSG Bomb Data Centre possesses expertise in detecting and defusing IEDs and explosives. Several times the Bomb Disposal Units were detailed for post blast investigations etc, at different places. At Manesar Garrison, the NSG Training Centre provides world class training in Bomb Disposal, VIP Security, Specialist Driving, Counter Terrorism and Counter Hijacking to State Police personnel, members of Central Forces and security forces of foreign counties. Efforts are on to create new facilities at the NSG Training Centre Manesar along with construction of accommodation etc for Commandos to improve their living condition. Setting up of a state of art ‘Indoor Shooting Range‘ is progressing. Physical fitness and the benchmark of marksmanship are being raised with intensive training. Every commando will learn to swim. Physical activity gives an impetus to greater agility and proficiency as well as the ability to control mental tension and avoid stress

The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany. It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Para Military Forces / State Police Force. All the personnel are on deputation.The SAG, which comprises 54% of the force, is the elite, offensive wing with members drawn from the Indian Army. The SRG, on the other hand, has members on deputation from central police organisations like the Border Security Force BSF, Central Reserve Police Force CRPF, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF). The primary function of the SRG is to play a supportive role to the SAF, especially in isolating target areas. For maintaining the young profile of the force, troops are rotated and sent back to their parent organisations after serving in the NSG for three to five years. The basic training period at the organisation's training centre at Manesar, 50 km from New Delhi, lasts 90 days. Only those who complete the entire course successfully are inducted into the NSG and given further specialised training.

The smallest combat unit in the NSG's counter-terrorist ops is a hit which comprises of five members - two pairs, or partners and a technical support member. Four hits make a team which is under the command of a Captain. The number of hits used for an intervention job depends on its complexity and the magnitude of the operation.In hostage rescue situations, a team of 50 to 90 NSG personnel and an IL-76MD strategic transport aircraft to transport them, are stationed on alert at New Delhi's Palam AFS and are ready to deploy within 30 minutes of being informed.The NSG is an elite force providing a second line of defence to the nation. They have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the unity of India and have commendably foiled attempts of anti-national elements to tear apart the social fabric of the country. The NSG has maintained an edge over terrorist outfits in possession of latest technology and are considered among the finest special operations units in all of South Asia. However, as Colonel Dutta says, "We are like nukes. The ultimate back-up."