By M S Nazki
They play hard and are excellent when on a mission! In the past they have executed dangerous tasks and have always emerged as winners!
-When the going gets rough only the tough get going!
-One Shot, One Kill." (The ultimate operational standard for the NSG's elite hit-and-run sniper squads
-When courage is the only currency. (A phrase commonly used by defense analysts to describe the brutal selection and training environment of the force)
-Recently they carried out drills that show cased capabilities!
-The National Security Guard (NSG) conducts regular counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue mock drills across India to test its rapid response and coordination with local and international forces.
-Recent Major Drills:
-Bengaluru (August 2026): NSG commandos and the Karnataka State Police carried out high-risk counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue exercises at prominent locations including the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, MG Road Metro station, Barton Centre, Public Utility Building, and Vidhana Soudha.
-Pune (August 2026): Over 100 NSG personnel joined 17 US Army Special Forces commandos and the Pimpri Chinchwad Police for a large-scale joint anti-terror mock drill at the Infosys Phase-2 campus in Hinjewadi, simulating a high-intensity attack and helicopter-rappelling rescue.
-Surathkal (August 2026): NSG personnel conducted tactical exercises at NITK Surathkal featuring coordinated Indian Air Force helicopter insertions and rapid room interventions.
-Annual Gandiv Exercises: The NSG periodically conducts nationwide multi-city counter-terror exercises (such as the Gandiv series) targeting critical infrastructure, commercial areas, and transport hubs across states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and the National Capital Region.
-The story which we got went something like this: It was rather a news item:
-NSG Capability Demonstration Marks Beginning of Comprehensive Capacity Building Module in Karnataka. The National Security Guard conducted a comprehensive Capability Demonstration in Bengaluru on 28 August 2026, marking the commencement of the Comprehensive Capacity Building Module (CCBM) for Karnataka State Police Forces. The event was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka,Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly,Shri R. Ashoka, senior Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries. DGP Karnataka Dr. M. A. Saleem, IPS, and DG NSG Shri Brighu Srinivasan, IPS, along with senior officers of the State Police and NSG, were also present. The demonstration showcased NSG’s specialised capabilities across the spectrum of counter-terrorism operations, including helicopter slithering and rappelling, intervention drills, K9 operations, bomb disposal, urban assault, counter-drone capabilities, VVIP/PSO protection and tactics!
-The National Security Guard (NSG) is India's elite federal contingency counter-terrorism force, known for its hallmark principles of speed, surprise, stealth, precision, and zero error.
-Core Operational CapabilitiesCounter-Terrorism & Urban Assault:
- Specialized in neutralizing terror threats and high-risk assaults in complex urban and built-up environments.
-Hostage Rescue: Rapid tactical intervention to safely rescue hostages from hostile or barricaded situations with minimal casualties.
-Anti-Hijacking Operations:
-Trained extensively as "Hijack Busters" to reclaim hijacked aircraft, land vehicles, or maritime targets.
-Bomb Disposal & EOD:
- Advanced search, detection, and safe neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and explosive ordnance.
-Post-Blast Investigation (PBI): Scientific analysis and investigation of explosion sites to trace terror networks and methodologies.
-Specialized Tactics: Proficient in helicopter slithering, rappelling, K9 (dog squad) operations, and counter-drone measures.
-Specialized Structure:
-Special Action Group (SAG): Drawn entirely from the Indian Army, forming the primary offensive counter-terror and anti-hijacking strike arm.
-Special Rangers Group (SRG): Composed of personnel from central police and state forces, handling operational support and high-risk duties. (More about them, later in the script)
The National Security Guard (NSG) K9 dog squad is an elite four-legged combat and reconnaissance unit that partners with the "Black Cat" commandos for high-risk counter-terrorism and anti-hijack operations.
-Breeds and Roles:
-Belgian Malinois: Highly agile and preferred for direct-action assaults, tactical room clearing, and multi-role operations (tracking, sniffing, and attacking).
-Labrador Retrievers: Traditionally deployed for sniffing and tracking, though the force is gradually phasing them out in favor of the Malinois.
-Cocker Spaniels: Selected for their compact, backpack-size dimensions, making them ideal for tight spaces and precise explosive or narcotic detection.
Advanced Technology and Gear:
-Tactical Gear: Canines are equipped with specialized body-mounted and head-mounted cameras, LED lights, and K9 visual systems.
-Real-Time Feed: Handlers view a live video feed from the dog's perspective during reconnaissance and communicate directly with the animal through ear-piece devices.
-And in that vast emptiness, two heads bobbed above the surface without a sound, just one hundred feet from them. Do not come up, I will handle them. (His final words to his personnel while charging terrorists alone after a fellow commando was injured).
Heroes are made of men who stay focused in battle. Heroes are men who have a plan, and who understand the plan is ever-changing and dependent on enemy action…
-The phrase Comprehensive Capacity Building Module (CCBM) in Karnataka most prominently refers to a high-profile, structured counter-terrorism initiative launched on August 28, 2026, by the National Security Guard (NSG) for the Karnataka State Police Forces.
-If the secondary part of the query "nry Nsg" was shorthand for Nursing/Healthcare (e.g., miskeyed "nrsg"), the state also actively operates a distinct digital and clinical nursing/healthcare capability initiative.
-The NSG & Karnataka Police CCBM (Security Sector)Launched at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bengaluru, this module establishes a joint-training framework between central forces and state responders.
-Core Purpose: To elevate first-responder operations, foster tactical synergy, and guarantee precise, shared coordination during high-risk security threats.
-Key Demonstration Modules: Air Operations: Helicopter slithering and high-rise rappelling.
-Tactical Assaults: Urban counter-terrorism intervention drills and tactical driving.
-Specialist Units: K9 tracking operations and explosive ordnance/bomb disposal.
-Modern Threats: Counter-drone warfare tactics and specialized VIP/PSO protection.
-Primary Stakeholders: Managed under DG NSG Brighu Srinivasan and Karnataka DGP Dr. M.A. Saleem, with administrative support from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- Clinical & Nursing Capacity Building (Healthcare Sector),
- Karnataka executes targeted initiatives via the Karnataka State Nursing Council (KSNC) and national institutes like NIMHANS!
-Digital Health Training: Standardized multi-week digital modules deployed for Community Health Officers (CHOs) and field workers to upgrade clinical knowledge, attitudes, and psychiatric primary care practices.
-Continuing Nursing Education (CNE): Mandatory structured accreditation frameworks that enforce periodic skill alignment, evidence-based nursing care, and hospital infection control protocols.
-The National Security Guard (NSG) maintains elite and versatile capabilities across the entire spectrum of counter-terrorism and high-risk security operations.
Core Tactical Capabilities
-Rapid Insertion: Uses helicopter slithering and fast rappelling to deploy commandos into hostile or restricted zones.
-Urban Assault: Executes close-quarter battle and fast room-intervention drills for built-up areas.
-Hostage Rescue: Conducts precise operations to free hostages from terrorists with minimal collateral damage.
-Counter-Hijacking: Responds to aircraft hijackings and aviation-related security threats.
-Specialized & Technological Support
-Bomb Disposal: Detects, defuses, and disposes of improvised explosive devices through specialized ordnance teams and the National Bomb Data Centre.
-Counter-Drone Operations: Deploys anti-UAV and counter-UAV technologies to neutralize airborne electronic and drone threats.
-Protection & Capacity Building
-VVIP Security: Provides high-level Personal Security Officer (PSO) and close-protection duties for designated dignitaries.
-State Interoperability: Conducts joint capacity-building programs, such as the Comprehensive Capacity Building Module and specialized training courses, to partner with state police forces and the NSG Training Academy
-The Special Action Group (SAG) is a core part of the National Security Guard (NSG), serving as its primary offensive and strike wing.Key facts about the Special Action Group include:
- Personnel and Composition Exclusively Indian Army: All commandos and officers in the SAG are drawn on deputation from the Indian Army (including infantry, paratroopers, and special forces).
-This differentiates them from the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), which are recruited from police and paramilitary forces.
-Two Specialized Units: The SAG is divided into two primary operating branches:
-51 SAG: Tasked primarily with counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
-52 SAG: Specialized in anti-hijacking and hostage rescue operations.
- Core Mission and Operations High-Risk Tactics: They handle room-to-room clearing, hostage rescue, sniper deployment, and tactical breaching.
-Famous Operations: The 51 SAG was the spearhead force during Operation Black Tornado during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (neutralizing terrorists at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Nariman House).
- Organizational Structure The "Hit" Unit: The smallest operational team within the SAG is called a "hit", which consists of 5 members (two buddy pairs and one technical support member).
-Leadership: Four hits form a team led by a Team Commander (Captain), and each SAG is commanded by an Indian Army Colonel acting as the Group Commander.
-The Special Rangers Group (SRG) is the secondary operational, police-composing unit of India's elite counter-terrorism force, the National Security Guard (NSG). Popularly known alongside their army counterparts as "Black Cats," the SRG serves as a vital supporting and defensive wing within the organization.
- Composition and Recruitment: Unlike the offensive strike unit of the NSG (the Special Action Group, or SAG), which recruits exclusively from the Indian Army, the SRG draws its manpower through temporary deputation from other law enforcement bodies: Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF): Personnel from the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
-State Police Forces: Elite personnel selected from various state police departments.
- Core Responsibilities and Units The SRG is organized along military battalion lines into three primary groups: 11 SRG, 12 SRG, and 13 SRG. Their responsibilities include: Tactical Support: Providing logistical backing, perimeter security, and tight cordons for the SAG during active counter-terrorist or anti-hijacking operations.
-VIP Protection: Historically, the 12 and 13 SRG battalions were heavily utilized to provide high-risk VVIP security for top government officials and politicians.
-Evolving Mandate: In 2012, the 11 SRG was upgraded to a direct counter-terrorism role, matching the operational profile of the SAG. In late 2024, the central government initiated the complete withdrawal of the remaining SRG units from politician/VVIP security detail to refocus the entire force strictly onto specialized counter-terror operations.
- Training and Weaponry: Candidates must pass a demanding selection process with historically high dropout rates. Once accepted, they undergo rigorous specialized training conducted by Indian Army officers. They are trained in advanced close-quarters combat, specialized counter-CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) tactics, and the mastery of modern assault weapons like Glock pistols, SIG Sauer rifles, and MP5 submachine guns.
-The National Security Guard (NSG) uses specialized small arms tailored for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and close-quarters combat.
-Pistols and Sidearms Glock 17/ Glock 26: Standard semi-automatic sidearms used by operatives.
-SIG Sauer P226: Used in secondary capacities for tactical operations.
-Submachine Guns (SMGs)Heckler & Koch MP5: The primary close-quarters weapon, including variants like the MP5A3, MP5A5, and silenced SD variants.
-SIG MPX: Modern submachine gun used in select operational roles.
-FN P90 & CZ Scorpion Evo 3: Utilized in limited numbers.
-Assault and Bullpup Rifles SIG SG 551 / SG 553: Swiss-origin assault rifles utilized in various short-barrel and long-barrel configurations.
-IWI Tavor X95: Israeli bullpup rifle used for urban intervention.
-Colt M4: Carbine platform used in limited numbers.
-Sniper and Marksman Rifles Heckler & Koch PSG-1: Semi-automatic precision sniper rifle.
-Thunderbolt SC-86 (.338 Lapua Magnum): Long-range bolt-action sniper rifle.
-Specialized Equipment CornerShot: Accessory system that allows shooters to aim and fire around corners.
-Franchi SPAS-15: Combat shotgun utilized for breaching.
-So we come to the end of the story and tis the way to end this one!
You're my home. I will find you. Some men want to win a gold medal, some want a family, some want to be rich, some want to be free, some want to kill other men, and some men want to do the right thing. Me, I only want you. Repetition is the single most powerful lever we have to improve skills, because it uses the built-in mechanism for making the wires of our brains faster and more accurate. That is what NSG is all about.
