The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : NSG training centre planned at Ibrahimpatnam

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

NSG training centre planned at Ibrahimpatnam

Special Correspondent

The anti-terrorist organisation will churn out 5,150 commandos in a few years

A facility also created at old airport for NSG for rapid movement
Elite commando force will handle actual terror situations

HYDERABAD: After Manesar in Haryana, Ibrahimpatnam will be the second training centre for the elite National Security Guards (NSG). When fully operational in a few years from now, the anti-terrorist organisation will have 5,150 commandos, said Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

He was talking to presspersons here on Wednesday after launching the operational hub of the NSG at Trimulgherry, which has 241 trained commandos on the alert at all times, to handle terror situations. It may be recalled that post-26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, the Centre had announced its decision to establish four regional hubs before June 30 this year, to considerably enhance the reach and capacity to handle terror, across the country.

“As promised, the four centres will be operational by Wednesday evening. Yesterday, I inaugurated the centre in Mumbai and I am here after throwing open the Chennai facility. I will go to Kolkata from here,” he said. While the regional hub is actually located at Trimulgherry, a few kms away from the city proper, a facility has been created for the unit in the old airport, to facilitate speedy movement of crack teams when required.

Locating land

The centre at Ibrahimpatnam for which the State government is identifying land, is planned as a major training centre that would help raise commando forces, anti-terrorist forces and quick reaction teams, he said.To a question, Mr. Chidambaram said the NSG was an elite group that would not engage in ‘seek and destroy’ or ‘search and destroy’ missions which would be handled by special forces like the CRPF , Cobra and Greyhounds. “It will handle actual terror situations, including hijackings”, he said.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was also present, said there would be a synergy between the NSG and the elite anti-terror force Octopus created by the State government.

“They will work together,” Mr. Chidambaram added.

The Union Home Minister said that in recent times, intelligence-sharing systems across different agencies working on internal security were in place.

“When we learnt of a possible terror strike on the west coast, the governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa were alerted. Likewise, three weeks ago, we flashed an alert here.

But mere intelligence inputs do not mean an imminent attack. We just do not want to take any chances,” he assured.

Replying to a question about Hyderabad becoming a hub of terror, he said it was not right for cities to be dubbed so.

Asked about a proposal for stepping up security at Tirumala, Dr. Reddy said the State was working on a special team that could have either CRPF or State police.

“Nothing has been firmed up yet,” he said.

State Home Minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, NSG Director-General N.P. Saulakh, State Director General of Police S.S.P. Yadav and NSG regional hub Officer Commanding, Lt. Col. Sandeep Sen were present.

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