Security agencies: BSF and NSG

Security Issues Security Agencies

History:

The National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the county. Thus the primary role of this Force is to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions, and the State Police and other Central Police Forces cannot cope up with the situation. The NSG is a Force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional situations. The Force is not designed to undertake the functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces of the Union of India.

The NSG was modeled 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 Para Military Forces/ State Police Force. All the personnel are on deputation.

The National Security Guard (NSG) is a special force in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986. It works completely within the Central Armed Police Forces structure. The NSG is an elite force providing a second line of defence to the nation. They have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the unity of India and have commendably foiled attempts of anti-national elements to tear apart the social fabric of the country. The NSG has maintained an edge over terrorist outfits in possession of latest technology and are considered among the best special operations units in the world.

Aim:

The National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country and has acquired considerable experience from the intense insurgency operations it has faced – from the present conflict in the state of Kashmir to the cradle of its birth, the state of Punjab. Adopting a variety of roles from counter-terrorism to hostage rescue to VIP protection, the NSG proudly wears the mantle of being one of the finest counter-terrorist units in all of Asia. The NSG’s roles include conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists, responding to hijacking and piracy and protecting VIPs.

The NSG’s specific goals include:
• Neutralization of terrorist threats.
• Handling hijacking situations in air and on land.
• Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralization of IEDs).
• PBI (Post Blast Investigation).
• Engaging and neutralizing terrorists in specific situations.
• Hostage Rescue.
• The NSG operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by the Director General of the Indian Police Service (IPS). The NSG members are also known as Black Cats because of the black drill cotton coveralls and balaclavas or helmets they wear.
• The NSG has a total personnel strength of about 14,500. The NSG is modeled on Germany’s GSG 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9 or “Border Guard Group 9”). It is a task-oriented force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG). The NSG currently has two SAGs- 51 Special Action Group and 52 Special Action Group; and three SRGs – 11, 12 and 13. Each unit has 900 personnel.
• The Special Action Group is the strike force in anti-terrorist and anti-hijack operations, supported by the SRG. All the personnel in the SAGs and some support unit, training and headquarters are on deputation from Indian Armed Forces, the rest being drawn from the central police organizations. The SAG is the offensive wing drawn from units of the Indian Army. The SRG consists of members from Central Paramilitary Forces (CPFs) and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Police forces.
• This smallest combat unit in the NSG’s counter-terrorist operations is a “hit” which comprises five members – two pairs, or partners and a technical support member. Four hits make a team which is under the command of a Captain. The number of hits used for an intervention job depends on its complexity and the magnitude of the operations. In hostage rescue situations, a team of 50 to 90 NSG personnel and an IL-76MD strategic transport aircraft to transport them, are stationed on alert at New Delhi’s Palam Air Force Station and are ready to deploy within 30 minutes of being informed.

INTRODUCTION:

Till 1965 India’s borders with Pakistan were manned by the State Armed Police Battalion. Pakistan attacked Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet on 9 April, 1965 in Kutch. This exposed the inadequacy of the State Armed Police to cope with armed aggression due to which the Government of India felt the need for a specialized centrally controlled Border Security Force, which would be armed and trained to man the International Border with Pakistan. As a result of the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, the Border Security Force came into existence on 01 Dec 1965, and Shri K F Rustamji was the first chief and founding father.

ROLE OF THE BSF:

SECURITY OF BORDER OF INDIA and matters connected therewith.
TASKS OF THE BSF:

The tasks of the BSF are divided as follows:

1. Peace time:
• Promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas.
• Prevent trans border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India.
• Prevent smuggling and any other illegal activity.
In the last few years the BSF has, in addition to their duties, been deployed for counter insurgency and internal security duties

2. War Time:
• Holding ground in less threatened sectors.
• Protection of vital installations.
• Assistance in control of refugees.
• Anti-infiltration duties in specified areas.

ETHOS:
The BSF, in its 41 years of existence, has emerged as an elite force of the country having excelled with distinction in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Its ethos is “Any task, any time, any where” and the BSF has given blood and sweat to execute its motto “Duty Unto Death”.