The National Security Guard, India's federal counter-terrorist force, celebrated its 36th Raising Day on October 16. 

NSG is a federal contingency force to deal with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestation. The NSG is 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.

Genesis of NSG

The Union Cabinet in 1984 took a decision to create a federal contingency force comprising personnel who are highly motivated, specially equipped and well trained to tackle terror attacks.

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 the creation of this organisation was introduced in Parliament in August 1986 and it received the assent of the President and the NSG formally came into being.

The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the Special Air Service of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany. 

The headquarters of the NSG is situated in Manesar, Haryana.

Other key points:

NSG is a unique amalgam of selected personnel from the Army, the Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces. 

The basic philosophy of the NSG is swift and speedy strike and immediate withdrawal from the theatre of action.

As a federal contingency force, NSG, with its ethos of excellence, has to its credit several successful counter-terrorist operations. For its dedication, valour and surgical operational capabilities, commandos of this special force have earned the moniker ‘Black Cats’.

The NSG commandos are trained for high-risk tasks like counter-terrorism, counter-hijack and bomb disposal operations. They are also assigned the task of providing ‘close protection’ to designated protectees.

Following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, four regional Hubs (Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata) were established to reduce the response matrix and to ensure pan-India footprint. Later, two more regional hubs were set up in Gandhinagar and Kolkata.

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