Know all about National Security Guard's 'Black Cats', India's elite commandos specialised in counter terrorism warfare

The National Security Guard made its maiden appearance at the Rajpath in New Delhi on the 68th Republic Day Parade on Thursday, when a team of 140 commandos showcased their spectacular skills during the parade.

The commandos of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) made a sensational debut at New Delhi's Rajpath during the Republic Day Parade and left the audience spellbound.

 

NSG commandos at the #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/k6Zivxlu9f

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

For the first time since their inception in 1984, these commandos will be part of the marching contingent on the Rajpath, where the NSG will show the glimpses of their anti-terror, anti-hijacking and special operations capabilities.

National Security Guard

The National Security Guard (NSG) is an Indian special forces unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs. National Security Guard was raised in 1984 as a special force for combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal disturbances, following Operation Blue Star and the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

NSG is under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs (India).  It has a special forces mandate, and its core operational capability is provided by the Special Action Group (SAG) which is drawn from the Indian Army. The Special Rangers Group (SRG), the police component of NSG, which also handles VIP security, is composed of personnel on deputation from other Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces.

The NSG personnel are often referred to in the media as Black Cats because of the black dress and black cat insignia worn on their uniform.

The NSG commandos undergo a highly specialised training to conduct counter terrorist task including counter hijacking tasks on land, sea, and air; Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralisation 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)

SRG personnel are drawn on deputation from Central Armed Police Forces and State Police forces. Initially SRG's main role  was to render logistical support to the SAGs during operations and are deployed for guarding high-risk VIPs/VVIPs. 

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 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.