What's new

NSG secures 300 high-value targets across India

Abingdonboy

ELITE MEMBER
Jun 4, 2010
29,597
46
55,416
Country
India
Location
United Kingdom


The National Security Guard, India's [ Images ] most potent commando force, has finetuned its operational readiness and official procedures following the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai [ Images ], says RS Chauhan

India's elite commando force, the National Security Guard, has identified over 300 high value targets and high value assets across the country that can come under a terrorist attack.

In an exercise that has lasted over 18 months in the post-26/11 period, NSG teams have done detailed reconnaissance and review of security arrangements at these places.

Some of the high value targets are well-known: the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, several atomic power plants, the Reliance [ Get Quote ] refinery in Jamnagar and ports in Mumbai, Kochi and Chennai for example.

Others, however, are not so obvious. The less conspicuous ones include big, glitzy malls, railway stations, important institutions and iconic buildings.

After exhaustive onsite inspection, NSG teams have evolved preventive as well as post-attack counter-measures for each of these identified sites. Local authorities including police and fire brigade are on board in these plans.

Following the three-day operation during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, the NSG troopers had difficulty in finding their way into the five-star hotels. Drawing lessons from that operation, the NSG has made sure that 'walk-through' models of all the 300-odd high-value targets and assets are ready with the respective authorities.

Meanwhile, apart from the main base at Manesar near New Delhi [ Images ], four NSG hubs have been established at Marol in Mumbai, Nedunkundram in Chennai, Trimulghery in Hyderabad and Badu (20 acres) in Kolkata [ Images ] that are fully operational now. All the hubs have 250 combat personnel in operational readiness all the time. For instance, following the July 13 Mumbai serial blasts, the NSG personnel from the Mumbai hub were at the three sites within half an hour of the blasts.

In Delhi, the main combat task force had assumed the 'tarmac readiness' posture. In other words, 150 fully-equipped and armed NSG troopers were on board an IL-76 transport plane ready to fly out to Mumbai. Of course, within an hour after the blasts, it was clear that these NSG troopers were not needed in Mumbai this time.

One more important change after 26/11 has come in the form of quick availability of an aircraft. NSG sources say if the IL-76 which belongs to the RAW's Aviation Research Centre was not available that day, the DG NSG and other designated officers have been empowered to requisition any civil aircraft from registered operators in the interest of public safety.

Overall, the NSG has finetuned its operational readiness and official procedures. However, there are several critical shortcomings in equipping and upgrading India's most potent commando force.
 
NSG should get a separate tender for transport helicopters like Mi-17 for use until HAL produces the medium lift helicopter, and why not have a NSG hub in every state? rather than just all the big cities you never know when and where an attack will happen
 
NSG should get a separate tender for transport helicopters like Mi-17 for use until HAL produces the medium lift helicopter, and why not have a NSG hub in every state? rather than just all the big cities you never know when and where an attack will happen

things do not work that way mate . you may have one attack after 3 yrs like we just did now . till then imagine the cost to replicate bases all over the country . no what they need is a dedicated fleet of air crafts to take them to the situation quickly .
 
things do not work that way mate . you may have one attack after 3 yrs like we just did now . till then imagine the cost to replicate bases all over the country . no what they need is a dedicated fleet of air crafts to take them to the situation quickly .

NSG has a strength of ~14,500 men we should create NSG hubs in the capital of each state but give special attention and extra manpower to the high value targets like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi etc like i said you never know when and where a terrorist will strike but its better to be sure that you have some kind of ERT (emergency response team) i think NSG needs these aircraft because one thing that NSG lacks is proper transportation this was seen during the 1999 hi jacking and the mumbai attacks we must give them proper transportation
 
I think the MHA/GoI has taken an intelligent outlook on this to address the shortcomings found in 26/11. Creating hubs in prime terrorist targets, replicating this all throughout the country would stretch the NSG further and place an additional burden on IA SF from whom SAG NSG men are recruited. This was already a concern expressed by the army post-26/11 NSG expansion. Giving the NSG the ability to comendere any civil AC in an emergency if an IAF/RAW ARC plane is unavailable. What the GoI/state govts seem to be doing is setting up their own anti-terror ERTs, the best tactic to act as first-responders until NSG arrives from hub/Delhi:

Karnataka state creates its own anti-terror force
26/11: Maharashtra's Force One commissioned

Aswell as general UPG of police. No matter if flying in from Delhi or responding from a hub the NSG is always going to take time to arrive on scene, and in these situations time is key in reducing casualties and neutralising threats.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)


Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom