The Union Cabinet in 1984 took a decision to create a Federal Contingency Force comprising of personnel who are highly motivated, specially equipped and well trained to tackle the various manifestations of terrorism. In June 1984, a nucleus consisting of the Director General of NSG and other essential elements were sanctioned and steps were initiated to raise the Force. A bill for creation of this Organization was introduced in the parliament in August 1986 and it received the assent of the President on September 22, 1986 and the National Security Guard (NSG) formally came into being from that date.
The basic philosophy of NSG is swift and speedy strike and immediate withdrawal from the theatre of action. National Security Guard has been given the specific role to handle all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force. The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany. It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces / State Police Forces.
The motto of NSG is:
“Train, equip and keep in readiness a special force capable of swiftly and effectively combating terrorism to live up to its motto Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha”.
The Ethos of the NSG is premised on the following:
- Pursuit for excellence
- Lead from the front.
- Zero Error.
- Speed, surprise, stealth, precision and accuracy are its hall marks.
NSG is Federal Contingency World Class Zero Error Force to deal with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestation. The NSG is a Force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional circumstances to thwart serious acts of terrorism. NSG is used only in exceptional circumstances. The NSG personnel are trained to conduct counter-terrorist operations including counter hijacking tasks on land, sea, and air; Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralization of IEDs); PBI (Post Blast Investigation) and Hostage Rescue missions.
Special Action Group (SAG)
The SAG is the main offensive or the strike wing of the NSG. Its members are drawn exclusively from the Indian army. The SAGs includes headquarters, support units, and training wing. The training of both the action and ranger group is conducted by the officers and NCOs drawn from the army. There are two SAGs – 51 Special Action Group and 52 Special Action Group. The two SAGs (51 and 52) are tasked for counter-terror and counter-hijack operations respectively.
Special Ranger Group (SRG)
NSG has three SRGs, each with a strength of battalion, approximately total 900 all ranks. SRG personnel are drawn on deputation from the Indian army, Central Armed Police Forces and State Police forces. There are three SRGs – 11, 12 and 13. Initially SRG’s mandate was to render logistical support to the SAGs during operations and are deployed for guarding high-risk VIPs/VVIPs. However, Since 2013, 11SRG is converted into a regular SAG unit for undertaking specific counter-terror operations.
Special Composite Group (SCG)
NSG has set five regional hubs under regional deployment. SCG consists of personnel both from Army and CAPFs for counter-terror operations within their area of responsibility. Each SCG is headed by an officer of Rank colonel of Indian Army on deputation as Group Commander. Five regional hubs are
- 26 SCG Mumbai
- 27 SCG Chennai
- 28 SCG Hyderabad
- 29 SCG Kolkata
- 30 SCG Gandhinagar
National Bomb Data Centre
The National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) established in the year 1988 & further its role redefined in the year 2000. NBDC was assigned the role of monitoring, recording and analysing all bombing incidents in the country. It also records and analyses various bombing incidents across the world to gain expertise knowledge in Bombing and related incidents and effectively counter such and share with relevant security agencies. All national security agencies which rely on NBDC for assistance in bombing incidents and related knowledge have high regards for its working culture. At present NBDC act as a nodal agency for all bombing related facets in the country.
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