National Security Guard defused two drones laden with explosives at Jammu airport after Operation Sindoor: NSG Director General

The Hindu

a day ago

The National Security Guard (NSG) played a key role in defusing eight kilogrammes of explosives dropped by two drones at Jammu civilian airport in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, NSG Director General Brighu Srinivasan said on Tuesday (June 10, 2025).
The NSG has been deployed for anti-Maoist operations in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra along with the State police, Mr. Srinivasan said. This is the first time that the NSG has been deployed in a Left Wing Extremism-affected area amid the Union government's aim to end Maoism by March 2026.
The NSG is an elite counter-terror and counter-hijack force deployed during terrorist attacks in civilian areas, and also provides security cover to VVIPs. The force draws 100% of its strength from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Army personnel on fixed deputation.
In the recent past, 17 religious sites, 21 nuclear installations, and 14 sensitive locations had been surveyed by the NSG, and their 3D maps prepared, Mr. Srinivasan said.
The NSG conducts counter-hijack and counter-terrorism exercises round the year in coordination with the State police, and 180 anti-air hijack exercises were held in 2024, he said.
'Last month, counter-terrorist exercises were conducted along with J&K Police and Indian Railways, and in future, train intervention exercises will be intensified,' Mr. Srinivisan said.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the 23rd edition of the NSG's Counter-Terror International Seminar under the theme 'Forging Collaboration and Innovation to Counter Terror Threats and Address the Complexities of Modern Terrorism'.
'In January this year, on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a security audit of Inland Waterways Cruise Liners was done, and anti-hijack exercises were conducted on cruise liners on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers,' the Director General said.
A specialised operations training centre is under construction at Manesar in Haryana at a cost of ₹140 crore.
Delegations from more than 17 foreign countries, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Israel, Germany, and Indonesia are participating, along with senior officials from the State police, CAPF, the Indian Army, intelligence agencies, and leading think tanks.
Discussions led by experts from the U.S. and Israel focused on global counter-terrorism frameworks, counter-radicalisation strategies, and operational challenges in urban combat, helping Indian stakeholders benchmark best practices from friendly foreign countries, the NSG said in a statement.
The NSG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various State police forces, laying the foundation for a first-of-its-kind unified counter-terrorism coordination framework, institutionalised joint training, and first responder interoperability. 'The MoU embodies India's resolve to evolve from fragmented action to a synchronised national response, integrating both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities through a calibrated, interoperable structure,' the NSG said.