India not setting up more NSG hubs

NEW DELHI - After having set up National Security Guard (NSG) hubs, one each in four metros, the government has no plans to establish more centres of the elite counter-terrorism force in the country, according to the home ministry.

“The government has established four NSG hubs, one each in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. There is no plan to set up NSG hubs in all states, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the Rajya Sabha last week.

Maken said the government was reviewing internal security regularly and based on such a review strengthening its national security apparatus.

The government has sanctioned two commando companies in each India Reserve Battalion of state governments and has given additional assistance of Rs.3 crore per commando company, he said in a written reply to a question about NSG hubs.

The NSG is a special response unit for counter-terrorism activities. It was created in 1986. Its recruitment is done from the central paramilitary forces and the Indian armed forces.

Working under the home ministry, the NSG’s roles include protecting the VIPs, conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralising terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists and responding to hijacking and piracy.

The highlight of the NSG’s operations so far has been eliminating terrorists and rescuing hostages in the Nov 26, 2008, Mumbai attacks after 10 Pakistani militants launched multiple attacks across the city. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Hawaldar Gajender Singh Bisht of the group lost their lives during the operations.

–Indo-Asian New Service