“Un” belling the Black Cat

government’s decision to withdraw elite National Security Guard from VIP protection duties is a welcome step. One, argument that NSG Commandoes were deployed to secure certain VIPs, more as a status symbol, rar than a result of a robust threat perception exercise, is valid. Two, NSG is a Special Force and its usage must remain strategic.

NSG is structurally divided into two parts, Special Action Group and Special Rangers Group. Special Action Group (SAG) is furr divided into two parts. 51 SAG is counter-terrorism Unit, which does a variety of operations, including room intervention, amongst many ors. 52 SAG is anti-hijack Unit of NSG. SAG has personnel drawn only from Indian Army. Support elements like Bomb Disposal Squ has personnel from army’s Corps of Engineers. SAG does not provide VIP security.

second wing of NSG – Special Rangers Group or SRG, manages VIP security. SRG comprises of personnel drawn from state police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB, and Para Military Forces like Assam Rifles. It is se personnel who guard VIPs.

India is facing brunt of a hybrid war unleashed by Pakistan, and Pakistan would want nothing more than to see terrorism, largely confined to Kashmir Valley, spre to rest of India. 26/11, 2001 Parliament attacks and Akshardham terror strikes point to fact that next terror attack on India’s mainland will emanate from Pakistani soil. NSG is a critical part of construct of our response to Pakistan. In fact, it is only specialized anti-terrorist force India has.

high-risk individuals whose NSG security is being revoked are in safe hands. State Police Forces and CAPFs alrey have a vast talent pool of policemen trained by NSG. y have exposure to world’s best training techniques, weaponry and tactics. That talent pool includes instructors who can help recreate professionalism of NSG within various police forces. same level of professional security will be provided. Nothing will change, except name and uniform.

When NSG was raised in 1984, VIP security was not part of ir charter. ir charter later morphed into providing proximate and mobile security to politicians, deemed “high risk”.

NSG should be expanded, equipped with most modern weapons and process of honing m into a shield to defend India must never stop. But in essence it must remain India’s final argument against next major terror strike or hijack.

black dungarees that NSG commandoes wear are earned. Unfortunately, it has led to needless glamorization and numerous state police spinoffs. For long, people have wrongly assumed that magic is in black dungaree itself. It

takes years of blood, sweat and operational experience to make an NSG Commando. It is this needless glamorization that has led to politicians of various hues demanding NSG cover, threat perception be damned. You are deemed important only if you have a dozen black cl NSG commandoes following you.

This thankfully, has come to an end. 13 “high-risk” VIPs who are currently protected by NSG will soon see a change in personnel who show m 24/7. Both CRPF and CISF have specially trained VIP security Units, with many personnel who are former NSG Commandoes. It is se Units that will take over ir security.

Through Operation Black Thunder (flushing out terrorists from Golden Temple) to Operation Black Torno (26/11), from clinical Operation Ashwamedh (anti-hijack operation for IC427) to countless operations in Kashmir Valley, NSG has proved to be both India’s sword arm and shield. Its commandoes are famously called Black Cats, a nod to ir famous arm patch. That y are cl in black, he to toe, ds to legend.

Black Cats are our elite counter-terror Special Forces. Removing m from VIP duty is a much-needed shot in arm for this legendary force.