The National Security Guard (NSG) Raising Day, which falls on 16th October, is a significant event that marks the establishment of an important federal contingency force in India. The NSG’s formation and its various aspects are important to understand when looking at India’s strong stance against terrorism.
Formation of the NSG
The decision to form the NSG was taken in 1984 during a period of heightened militancy in Punjab. The force came into existence through the National Security Guard Act, 1986, making it a critical counter-terrorist outfit in the Indian security architecture.
The NSG as An Anti-Terrorist Force
The NSG has a specific mandate to handle all facets of terrorism anywhere in the country. It serves as a federal contingency force, ready to react to any acts of terror. The force is also informally known as the ‘Black Cats’ due to their distinctive, all-black uniforms, which contribute to their intimidating presence.
Elements of the NSG
The NSG consists of two complementary elements: the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Rangers Group (SRG). The SAG comprises Army personnel, while the SRG is made up of personnel from State Police and Central Armed Police Forces. These two groups work in harmony, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the table, to ensure the NSG can effectively respond to use different types of threats.
Inspiration Behind the NSG
The NSG’s design and operational guidelines are based on the elite anti-terror units GSG-9 of Germany and the Special Air Service (SAS) of the United Kingdom. By adopting practices from these accomplished forces, the NSG has been able to develop a potent response mechanism against terror threats.
Deployment of the NSG
Since its inception, the NSG has been deployed to various hotspots across the country. Its first major deployment was in Punjab in 1986, followed by numerous operations in Jammu & Kashmir. The NSG played a pivotal role in neutralizing the threats during the infamous Mumbai terror attacks, also known as the 26/11 attacks.
Role Clarification and Policy Change
In January 2020, the Centre announced a significant policy change in the NSG’s mandate. Up until then, the force had been tasked with providing security for VIPs, a role that it wasn’t designed for when originally formed. Following this decision, the NSG was relieved of this responsibility, allowing it to focus on its primary role – tackling terrorism in the country.
Source
This information is verified and sourced from articles released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.
