One NSG unit for J&K announced
Excelsior Correspondent/PTI
AMARAVATI, Oct 16: Accusing Pakistan of trying to destablise India by sending terrorists across the border,Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been asked not to fire first, but to retaliate without counting the bullets, if provoked.
“It (Pakistan) is our neighbour, so don’t fire first. But if even one bullet comes from that side, then dont take count of the bullets (fired in retaliation),” he said in his directive to the Armed forces.
Addressing a public meeting at Guntur,Singh said Pakistan has not been desisting from sending terrorists into the country,but India was taking ‘swift action’ against terrorism.
“Pakistan is trying to destabilise us by sending terrorists. But I would like to compliment our Army jawans, security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police.
All three are acting in mutual coordination and are engaged in wiping out terrorists daily and are succeeding,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rajnath announced deployment of one full unit of National Security Guards (NSG) in Jammu and Kashmir even as he asserted that there was best coordination among security forces in the State, which has resulted into various successful operations against the militants.
Rajnath said regional hubs of NSG are being set up to reduce timing of response in major terror attacks but maintained that first respondent in any terrorist attack should be the State Police.
He was addressing 34th Raising Day even of NSG at Manesar in Gurugram this morning.
An official statement of Rajnath Singh posted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the Home Minister announced deployment of one unit of NSG in Jammu and Kashmir, which will help in immediate response by the elite force to counter any major terror attack, if required.
“We have seen best coordination among security forces in Jammu and Kashmir resulting in successful security operations,’’ he said adding that during last four and half years there was no big terrorist attack in hinterland of the country largely due to alertness of security forces.
“Barring Jammu and Kashmir, our security forces have succeeded in preventing terrorist attacks in rest of the country. It was due to strengthening of security by our Government,’’ he added.
Rajnath called upon security forces to be on the alert as terrorists are adopting new tactics.
“Threats posed by `lone wolf’ attackers and `do it yourself’ terrorists are a major challenge for agencies tasked with ensuring security of the country,’’ he said.
He made a reference to recent attacks in New York and London where vehicles were used to run over and kill a number of people.
“The ‘do it yourself’ and ‘lone wolf’ kind of terror attacks are a major challenge for us and for security agencies,” Singh said, adding that to keep up with new challenges posed by the terrorists, the NSG is upgrading its skills and techniques.
“We will have to prepare accordingly and keep changing and updating our tactics to counter these threats,” he added.
Terror is not limited to a country but affects the entire world population, Singh asserted.
Rajnath said terrorists are using social media for publicity.
“In order to reduce response time in the event of terror attack, the Government has been creating regional hubs of the NSG. Recently one such hub was inaugurated in Hyderabad,’’ he said.
Rajnath said the Government is fully supporting the security forces and has taken several measures for their welfare such as in recruitment and promotion of constables. “We are also concerned about families of martyrs and have taken measures to ensure adequate monetary support to them’’.
Terming the NSG as our “Sudarshan Chakra” against terrorists, the Union Home Minister said it is comparable to any international force of its kind.
“It’s not only better than rest but better than the best. In 34 years since its inception, NSG secured a solid place for itself in Security Grid of the nation. NSG has become a specialized force with multi-dimensional roles- in counter terrorism, anti-hijacking and close protection operations. NSG has fulfilled all tasks entrusted to it with full dedication. People of our country have developed enormous trust in NSG while the enemies are scared of its capabilities,” he said.
The NSG was raised in 1984 as a federal contingency force. Apart from rendering the specialized tasks of counter-terror and counter-hijack operations, it also guards 13 high-risk VVIPs in the country, including the Union Home Minister.
Rajnath later launched the newly created website and Twitter handle of NSG. He also presented awards and commendations to security force personnel and their families.
On the occasion, NSG commandos gave a display of their prowess by conducting demonstrations in counter-terrorist operations using drones, amphibious assaults, canine units and air-dropping of Special Units.
Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), former Director Generals (DGs) of NSG and senior officers of MHA and CAPFs were present on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
