New-look NSG commandos to go hi-tech

MANESAR (HARYANA): Learning its lessons from 26/11 and from the success of the US Navy SEAL operation to neutralize Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, National Security Guard (NSG) plans to raise two ultra-modern commando units of about 1,600 within the next five years.

These commandos will have cutting edge weapon systems, individual GPS link and highly nutritious food to survive in isolation for at least 48 hours.

The country's elite counter-terrorism force plans to ready the first batch of about 800 commandos soon, and they have already started receiving training. Sources said the government might have to spend between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore for a group of 6-7 commandos.

After learning from drawbacks during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which commandos used equipment such as hand-held radios for communication, which meant one of their hands was pre-occupied, the new commandos will have modern communication systems strapped to the uniform, freeing their hands.

These systems will have body-wearable computer systems that can process data horizontally and vertically available from the scene of action. This will automatically be seen by the commanding officer and at the same time, the commando can keep interacting with his superior.

NSG director general R K Medhekar said once the commandos got these advanced devices fitted to their body, their operations could be viewed real time by commanding officers as was in the case during the raid on Osama.

"A five-year plan has been activated. It primarily concentrates on the commando, who will be independent to operate with his weapon, digital map, body armour, communication devices and body wearable computer etc," Medhekar said on the sidelines of NSG's Raising Day on Sunday. He added that a commando should have water and food on him to survive for 48 hours.

The NSG chief said since no security force will share this technology with others, they were developing their own programme in association with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

Sources said some devices were already available with NSG and the training process had started.

Medhekar said besides improving the arms, armour and hi-tech gadgets for commandos, they had started training the 'Black Cat' commandos deployed as sky marshals and on VIP security in a new form of martial art from Philippines -- Pekiti-Tirsia Kali.

"Presently, our commandos are trained to be both defensive and to go offensive. But in this form of martial arts, there is no defence as compared to judo or karate. It is only offence and the commando rares to eliminate the opponent right from the word go. Even the defensive move is in the form of attack," Medhekar said. In this art, special attention is given to close-quarter fighting.

- Times of India