National Security Guard: Difference between revisions

 

| logocaption      =  

| badge            =  

| badgecaption      =  

| flag              =  

| flagcaption      =  

| formed            = {{Start date and age|1986|09|22|df=yes}}<ref name="auto">{{cite web | title=History of NSG | website=National Security Guard | url=https://www.nsg.gov.in/about-us/history-nsg | language=la | access-date=2021-04-16}}</ref>

| employees        = 14,000 personnel

| budget            = {{INRConvert|1190|c|1}} {{small|(2020{{ndash}}21)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Expenditure Budget - Ministry of Home Affairs - Police |url=https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe48.xlsx |website=Expenditure Budget {{!}} Union Budget of Bharat|publisher=Ministry of Finance |access-date=6 June 2020}}</ref>

| countryabbr      =  

| constitution1    = [http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/pdf/NSGAct1986.pdf National Security Guard Act, 1986]

| chief1name        = M.A. Ganapathy

| website          = [http://www.nsg.gov.in www.nsg.gov.in]

The '''National Security Guard''' ('''NSG''') is an elite [[counter-terrorism]] unit under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Indian Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Government of India |first1=Ministry of Home Affairs |title=Office Memorandum |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OM1-020513.pdf |website=mha.gov.in |publisher=Director (Personnel), MHA |access-date=20 September 2020 |date=23 Nov 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Government of India |first1=Ministry of Home Affairs |title=Office Memorandum |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OM2-020513.pdf |website=mha.gov.in |publisher=Director (Personnel), MHA |access-date=20 September 2020 |date=18 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Online |first1=The Telegraph |title=For the paramilitary, all's in a new name |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/for-the-paramilitary-all-s-in-a-new-name/cid/415027 |website=telegraphindia.com |access-date=20 September 2020 |date=26 March 2011}}</ref> It was founded on 22 September 1986 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986, following [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[Golden Temple]] attack and the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi]],  "for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances"<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NSGAct1986_0.pdf |title= THE NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD ACT|date= 1986|website=www.mha.gov.in |format=PDF|access-date=2021-04-16}}</ref>.<ref name="NSG ACT">{{cite web|title=The National Security Guard Act, 1986 (47 of 1986)|url=http://home.bih.nic.in/acts_rule/national_security_guard_act.pdf|publisher=Government of India|access-date=23 August 2014|date=22 September 1986|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035600/http://home.bih.nic.in/acts_rule/national_security_guard_act.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/world/asia/29mumbai.html|title=Mumbai Terrorist Siege Over, India Says|last1=Sengupta|first1=Somini|date=2008-11-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-23|last2=Bradsher|first2=Keith|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|quote=...the siege appeared finally to have ended, J. K. Dutt, director general of the National Security Guard, an elite commando force, said...}}</ref>

The NSG is a 'Federal Contingency Deployment Force' to tackle all facets of [[terrorism]] in the country.<ref name="nsg, 22/8">{{cite web|title=National Security Guard|url=http://nsg.gov.in/organisation_history.php|website=Ministry Of Home Affairs|publisher=NSG.GOV.IN|access-date=23 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825161225/http://nsg.gov.in/organisation_history.php|archive-date=25 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a specialised counter-terrorism force, it is intended to be used "only in exceptional situations" and is not meant to take over the "functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces".<ref name="nsg, 22/8" /> Yet, over the years its role has been expanded to provide personal security to influential politicians regardless of the real threat that they face.

{{main|Director General of the National Security Guard}}

The head of NSG, designated as Director General (DG), is selected by the MHA-Home Minister.<ref name=Directors>{{cite web|title=Former DGs|url=http://www.nsg.gov.in/former_dgs.php|publisher=nsg.gov.in|access-date=18 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706034752/http://www.nsg.gov.in/former_dgs.php|archive-date=6 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Since its founding in 1984, the NSG has had 28 DGs, in 31 years, with an average tenure one year and few months.<ref name="Former DGs">{{cite web|title=Home :Former DGs|url=http://nsg.gov.in/former_dgs.php|publisher=NSG|access-date=14 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715022018/http://nsg.gov.in/former_dgs.php|archive-date=15 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Organization==

According to the NSG website, it is modelled on the British [[Special Air Service]] as well as Germany's [[GSG 9]] (Grenzschutzgruppe&nbsp;9 or "Border Guard Group&nbsp;9").<ref name="nsg, 16/9">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nsg.gov.in/about-us/history-nsg |title=History of NSG {{!}} National Security Guard |website=www.nsg.gov.in |access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref><ref name="India Today">{{cite web|title=Modernising the NSG|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Modernising+the+NSG/1/24796.html|website=India Today|access-date=18 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="India Express">{{cite web|title=Elite German police wing to train NSG|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/400650/|publisher=India Express|access-date=18 July 2012}}</ref>

'''Administration'''  The Director-General is assisted by four [[Indian Police Service]] officers for administrative matters of whom two are Inspectors General each for Administration and Headquarters (HQ) who in turn are assisted by Deputy Inspectors General.<ref>{{cite web|title=STATEMENT SHOWING DETAILS OF ORGANIZATION - WISE VACANCIES IN CAPFs / CPOs, ETC. UPTO 3 1 . 03 .201 5 MEANT FOR IPS OFFICERS AT VARIOUS LEVELS|url=http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/Detailedlistofvacancies_030215.pdf|website=mha.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203130237/http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/Detailedlistofvacancies_030215.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Financial Advisor of the NSG has been an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary from Central Accounts Services and is assisted by Dy Financial Advisors.  

'' At Manesar, <br>

'''Operation and training''':    A [[Major general|Major General]] of the [[Indian Army]], on deputation, designated as Inspector General (operations), is responsible for the planning and conduct of operations. Training is under another Inspector General (Training), located in [[Manesar]], [[Gurgaon]]. They are further assisted by two DIGs - DIG (Operations) and DIG (Training).<ref>{{cite web|title=NSG gets 3 army officers for terror ops, training|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nsg-gets-3-army-officers-for-terror-ops-training/article1-812206.aspx|website=www.hindustantimes.com|publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=3 February 2015|ref=5|date=16 February 2012}}</ref> The strength of the NSG is estimated to be about 7000+ personnel.<ref name="careerafter12th.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.careerafter12th.com/?p=320|title=Careerafter12th.com|website=www.careerafter12th.com}}</ref> Air transport to support NSG is located at Indira Gandhi Airport.

There are 2 Special Action Groups - 51 and 52 SAGs. Both, along with 11 SRG, constitute the counter terrorist force (CTF) which is the counter-terrorist arm of NSG. 51 SAG along with 11 SRG are tasked for counter-terrorist and counter insurgency operations while 52 SAG deal with anti-hijacking operations. While SAG members are drawn from the [[Indian Army]], SRG members are largely drawn from [[Central Armed Police Forces|CAPFs]].

There are 3 Special Ranger Groups (SRG) - 11,12 and 13.  11 SRG is under counter terrorist force (CTF) and is used purely for counter terrorist operations along with 51 SAG. The 12 and 13 SRG provide close protection force and provide special security service for India's at-risk high-profile targets e.g. The defence minister.  

In response to the criticism, due to the time taken by NSG units to arrive in [[November 2008 Mumbai attacks]], from its base in [[Manesar]], Haryana, the MHA decided to deploy NSG contingents in major cities across India like [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]] (462 personnel), [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] and [[Chennai]].<ref name="BDK">{{cite web|title=NSG's Kolkata hub to serve east, northeast: Chidambaram|url=http://www.bharatdefencekavach.com/News/6013_-NSG-s-Kolkata-hub-to-serve-east--northeast--Chidambaram-.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302042232/http://www.bharatdefencekavach.com/News/6013_-NSG-s-Kolkata-hub-to-serve-east--northeast--Chidambaram-.html|archive-date=2 March 2012|access-date=18 July 2012|publisher=Bharat Defence Kavach|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/centre-clears-nsg-for-six-cities/392506/ |title=Centre clears NSG for six cities |website=The Indian Express |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=2010-08-12}}</ref>

'''NSG hub''' is the regional hub of the National Security Guard and it's commando training is located near [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-reviews-functioning-of-nsg-black-cat-commandos-4690223/|title=Rajnath Singh reviews functioning of 'Black Cat' commandos|date=5 June 2017}}</ref> With the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) giving its nod and sanctioning {{INRConvert|534|c|lk=on|year=2017}} in 2017, the National Security Guard (NSG) officials geared up to establish the Southern Regional Center (SRC) at Ibrahimpatnam, Hyderabad for training commandos. It will be home to 300 black cat commandoes and is tasked with tackling any terror threat in the four states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], Telangana, [[Odisha]] and [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-to-open-new-nsg-complex-in-hyderabad-tomorrow-1834684|title=Rajnath Singh To Open New NSG Complex In Hyderabad Tomorrow|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/National/2018-04-09/Rajnath-Singh-to-inaugurate-SCG-club-of-anti-terror-force-NSG-in-Hyderabad/372874|title=Rajnath Singh to inaugurate SCG club of anti-terror force NSG in Hyderabad|first=Deepthi|last=Reddy|date=9 April 2018|website=www.thehansindia.com}}</ref> The hub land area is {{convert|200|acre|order=flip}} and constructed at a cost of {{INRConvert|157|c}}.

The Hyderabad hub of 28 Special Composite Group (SCG) of the NSG is among the four regional hubs in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-reviews-functioning-of-nsg-black-cat-commandos-4690223/|title=Rajnath Singh reviews functioning of ‘Black Cat’ commandos|date=5 June 2017}}</ref> By 2018, 300 commandos were stationed at the NSG hub at Trimulgherry.

The state has two trained anti-terror striking forces. Besides the NSG, the [[Telangana Police]]'s counter-terrorist group, [[Organisation_for_Counter_Terrorist_Operations|OCTOPUS]], also has a training facility in the same neighbourhood at Ibrahimpatnam, that has a strength of over 250 personnel.<ref name=TOI13>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130627230358/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-24/hyderabad/40165225_1_nsg-hub-national-security-guard-training-centre Central nod for 'Black Cats' training campus near Hyderabad - Times Of India]. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2013-06-24). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.</ref>

On 1 March 2020, the 29 Special Composite Group complex was inaugurated by the Home Minister [[Amit Shah]] at [[Rajarhat]], [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mynation.com/india-news/amit-shah-stresses-role-of-nsg-in-realising-modis-dream-of-zero-tolerance-against-terrorism-q6ig2o|title=Amit Shah stresses role of NSG in realising Modi's dream of zero tolerance against terrorism|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|others=Home Minister inaugurates Special Composite Group complex of NSG|date=March 2, 2020|title=India's Black Cats get a brand new address|language=en|work=[[The Economic Times]] 01:21 PM IST|agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/men-in-black-nsg-the-black-cats-of-india/home-minister-inaugurates-special-composite-group-complex-of-nsg/slideshow/74437558.cms|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref>

NSG proposed [[Amritsar]] as a regional hub to improve it's counter action capability in Northern India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gopal|first=Navjeevan|date=2019-09-26|title=NSG proposes regional hub in Amritsar for North India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nsg-proposes-regional-hub-in-amritsar-for-north-india-6029727/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

The ranks in NSG are as follows:<ref name="NSG ACT"/>

** (i) Director-General. (Lieutenant-General - Commander's Scale)

** (v) Group Commander. (Commandant/Colonel)

** (vi) Squadron Commander. (2IC/Lieutenant-Colonel)

** (vii) Team Commander. (Assistant Commandant/Deputy Commandant//Captain/Major)

* Assistant Commanders ([[Junior Commissioned Officers|JCOs]])

* Persons other than officers and Assistant Commanders-

** (xii) Ranger Grade II.

The NSG was established in the wake of 1984 [[Operation Blue Star]], and the high collateral damage to [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]], and civilian and military collateral casualties. Since its founding the NSG has been used in the [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] in 1986, and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. Some of the NSG's known operations include:

* 29–30 April 1986: About 300 NSG commandos and 700 [[Border Security Force]] troops stormed the Golden Temple in [[Operation Black Thunder|Operation Black Thunder I]]. The Temple was cleared and handed over to Punjab Police on 1 May 1986. 300 Sikh militants were captured, and there were no deaths or injuries for either side.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,961349,00.html India Deliverance], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', 1986-05-12</ref>

* January 1988: The NSG conducted Op Black Hawk, a heliborne operation in the Mand area of Punjab. In this operation two terrorists were killed and one 7.62mm rifle was recovered. It was a massive operation, says former NSG Director-General [[Ved Marwah]], though it did not get many spectacular results like in Black Thunder.<ref name="BRakshak 2">{{cite web|last=Bhashyam|first=Kasturi|title=National Security Guards- Past, Present and Future|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE5-5/Kasturi.html|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=18 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929205124/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE5-5/Kasturi.html|archive-date=29 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* 12 May 1988: 1,000 NSG commandos (all ranks) surrounded the Golden Temple for yet another assault, in Operation Black Thunder II. Sniper teams armed with Heckler & Koch PSG-1 rifles with night scope took up positions, including atop a 300-foot water tower. While commandos from the 51 SAG divided into assault squadrons, the SRG was used to seal off the area around the temple and for tactical support. In the three-day operation between 15–18 May 1988, the NSG cleared the temple. 40 terrorists were killed, and 200 surrendered. In the mid-1990s, a NSG battalion was again deployed in Punjab to confront the Sikh rioters. There they began training the Punjab Police in counter-terrorism.<ref name=BRakshak>{{cite web|title=National Security Guards|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/NSG.html|website=Bharat Rakshak: Land Forces|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=10 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006005622/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/NSG.html|archive-date=6 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* [[26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks]] — [[Operation Black Tornado]] and Operation Cyclone to flush out terrorists & rescue hostages after multiple attacks across [[Mumbai]], India. [[Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan]] and [[Havaldar Gajender Singh]] Bisht of the Special Action Group were martyred during the operations. Over 900 rooms were scanned, 9 terrorists killed and over 600 hostages rescued during the operation.

* [[2013 Bangalore Bomb Blast]] - NSG was deployed in [[Bangalore]] after the bomb blast took place in the city.

* [[2013 Patna bombings]] - A team of the NSG, which was sent to [[Patna]] for post-blasts analysis, said at least three more Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were defused.

* [[2016 Pathankot attack]] - An NSG team took part in the operation to neutralise terrorists where Lt. Col. Niranjan lost his life defusing a grenade or IED booby-trapped on the body of a dead terrorist, and 12 other members of the unit were injured. Six terrorists were neutralised in the operation by the NSG, [[Defence Security Corps]] and the [[Garud Commando Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pathankot-attack-ied-explodes-during-combing-ops-3-more-personnel-die/20160103.htm|title=Pathankot operation continues; 2 terrorists still holed up|date=3 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/govt-denies-lapses-in-pathankot-op-unsure-of-number-of-terrorists-involved/20160103.htm|title=Govt denies lapses in Pathankot op; unsure of number of terrorists involved|date=3 January 2016}}</ref>

The training includes learning to conduct urban [[counter-terrorism]], underwater operations, house intervention, counter-[[UAV]] and anti-drone operations, [[Bomb disposal|bomb detection and disposal]] skills, apart from various other specialisations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsg.gov.in/institution-facilities/training-centre|title=Training Centre {{!}} National Security Guard|website=www.nsg.gov.in|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/11/24/EXCLUSIVE-10-years-since-26-11-NSG-DG-says-force-preparing-for-bigger-challengers.html|title=EXCLUSIVE: 10 years since 26/11, NSG DG says force 'preparing for bigger challengers'|date=24 November 2018|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>

After the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], the NSG decided to have a joint exercise with the German [[GSG 9]]. In November 2009, a team from NSG visited the GSG 9 headquarters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/NSG-to-train-with-Germanyrsquos-counter-terror-force/article16892790.ece|title=NSG to train with Germany's counter-terror force|date=2009-11-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-26|others=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Joint training exercises between GSG 9 and NSG were subsequently conducted in [[Manesar]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 11, 2011|title=Toothless Black Cats|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/sandeep-unnithan/story/national-security-guards-145512-2011-11-11|access-date=16 September 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>

*[[SIG MPX]] Submachine gun.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jaywankhadejrw/status/1312714929800003584?s=19 |title=Tweet |website=twitter.com |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref>

* NSG soldiers featured in the 2019 thriller film ''[[Hotel Mumbai]]'', which is based on the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/5556215/hotel-mumbai-movie-true-story/|title=The True Story Behind 'Hotel Mumbai'|date=22 March 2019|website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>

*A biographical movie named [[Major (film)|Major]] made on [[Sandeep Unnikrishnan]] who commanded [[51 Special Action Group]] of NSG during 26/11 terror attacks.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-13|title=Major Teaser: Adivi Sesh transforms into Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, promises a sleek 26/11 movie|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/major-teaser-adivi-sesh-transforms-into-major-sandeep-unnikrishnan-promises-a-sleekly-packed-26-11-movie-7270373/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>