Regional NSG hubs will facilitate fast counter terror strike: Chidu

Chennai: Stressing the importance of regional National Security Guard hubs, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said such NSG units will help in bringing down the time to launch counter measures in the event of a terror strike. “It took 12 hours for NSG to reach Mumbai from Manesar near Delhi during the 2008 terror attacks,” he said after inaugurating the NSG regional hub, housing over 200 members of the elite commando force, at suburban Kolapakkam. “241 commandos will be on standby for 24 hours and 365 days. The hub is spread over 69 acres and developed at a cost of Rs 54 crore,” Chidambaram said. [caption id=“attachment_158965” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Stressing the importance of regional National Security Guard hubs, P Chidambaram said such NSG units will help in bringing down the time to launch counter measures in the event of a terror strike. Vijay Verma/PTI”]  [/caption] “With the first hour being very important in a terror strike, not a minute can be wasted. Therefore there is the need for such regional hubs.” In the event of a terror attack or plane hijack in any of the southern states, NSG commandos can reach the airport (located at Meenambakkam) in 40 mins or the nearest IAF base in Tambaram in 30 mins (to go airborne), Chidambaram said. Underlining the Centre’s commitment for safety and security of citizens, he said the present initiative was one such effort in this regard. Necessary arms and other equipment including guns, rocket-launchers, normal and night-vision camera among others were available for NSG personnel here. The Black Cats, put in through a rigorous training module, will go back to paramilitary forces from where they were picked, after 3-5 years of service, he said. This is one of the four hubs operationalised by the Centre following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Initially located at a facility in Chennai, the present NSG hub, developed by National Buildings Construction Company Ltd, was later shifted to the sprawling campus, which, Chidambaram said, would be used by the force for training purposes. NSG Director-General, RK Medhekar said post 26/11 scenario, the aim is to reduce time taken to launch a counter attack during a terror strike. The NSG hub boasts of all required facilities, including 100 percent power back-up from diesel generators, green building efforts like solar-powered lamps and the whole campus was ready for occupation, AK Mittal, Director NBCC, said. PTI