“NSG will go hi-tech soon”

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said the National Security Guard (NSG) would soon induct high technology and new weapons to its fold.

“The country today needs the NSG as a well-trained and fully-equipped force with an always alert group of commandos to tackle the terror threat…the force is in the process of inducting high technology and new weapons. The process of inducting sophisticated state-of-art weapon and equipment are in the final stages,” Mr. Chidambaram said, while speaking at the 25th Raising Day function of the elite counter-terror force at its training centre here.

Stating that it was a matter of great pride that the NSG had completed 25 years of selfless service to the nation, Mr. Chidambaram said: “In these years, the NSG has grown into a potent force to defend India against terrorism and any threat to our security.

Starting as a force of a few hundred army and paramilitary personnel, the NSG has now grown into a large, professional and highly skilled organisation. How can we forget the Operation Black Thunder, the operation “Operation Black Thunder” and above all, the operation Black Tornado when Mumbai was attacked on November 26 and the whole country watched the brave commandos of the NSG end the terrorist attack?”

Remembering Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Hawaldar Gajendra Singh who died fighting terrorists in Mumbai, the Home Minister said: “After the Mumbai attacks, the role of NSG has been redefined. We have established four hubs at Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata and were made operational in a record time of six months. We have also sanctioned two regional centres and authorised NSG to requisition civil aircraft.”

Releases song CD

Mr. Chidambaram also released the CD of a song, written by renowned lyricist Gulzar and composed by Shankar Mahadevan, to mark the silver jubilee of the NSG. Describing the song as “stirring,” the Minister extended his warm thanks to “these two illustrious sons of India for honouring us by composing this song.”

Later interacting with mediapersons, NSG Director-General N.P.S. Aulakh said that based on its experience during the Mumbai terror attack the force had identified certain devices and gadgets like night-vision equipment and was in the process of procuring them.