NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD

the black cats

      The National Security Guard (NSG) is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was founded on 22 September 1986 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986, [6] [7] following Operation Blue Star, the Golden Temple attack and the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, "for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbance.

                                   

          National Security Guard personnel are sometimes referred to as The Black Cats. 

mission

                      The National Security Guard states its mission as: "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 NSG is a 'Federal Contingency Deployment Force' to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country.  As a specialised counter-terrorism force, it is intended to be used "only in exceptional Mission situations" and is not meant to take over the "functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces".  Yet, over the years its role has been expanded to provide personal security to influential politicians regardless of the real threat that they face. However, in January 2020, the NSG was withdrawn from this task of VIP security to ensure its focus on its original roles as an elite counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking force. The NSG is trained to conduct counterterrorist tasks, including countering hijackings on the land, sea, and air; bomb disposal (search, detection, and neutralization of IEDs); PBI (Post Blast Investigation) and Hostage Rescue missions. 

 

THE BLACK CATS

DIRECTOR GENERAL

                                                 The head of NSG, designated as Director General (DG), is selected by the MHAHome Minister.  Since its founding in 1984, the NSG has had 28 DGs, in 31 years, with an average tenure one year and few months.