10 lesser known facts about India’s brave NSG commandos

New Delhi: The National Security Guard (NSG) was established in 1984 after Operation Blue Star, an Indian military operation which was ordered by Indira Gandhi, in order to remove Sikh militants who were trying to establish control over the Harmandir Sahib Complex (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. During the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, NSG carried out Operation Black Tornado and Operation Cyclone killing nine terrorists and rescuing more than 900 hostages. Similarly, after the Pathankot terror attack in January 2016, NSG executed a 4-day operation in which all the six terrorists were neutralised. Here are some of the lesser-known facts you must know about NSG commandos.

The NSG is modelled on Germany’s GSG 9, which is known to be the most effective counter-terrorism faction in the world. It was set up after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

NSG commandos are handpicked from central police forces and the Indian army.

They are trained to execute counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, hijack operations, VIP protection and covert operations.

These highly-trained commandos are equipped with German Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns, Koch PSG1 sniper rifles, Austrian Glock-17 pistols and Swiss SIG SG 551 assault rifles.

Out of the total strength of 14,500 personnel, half of the members of NSG, known as Black Cat commandos, are drawn from the Indian army. Rest of them are recruited from paramitary and state police forces.

The recruited members are inducted into the NSG only after they complete the rigorous training course that lasts for 90 days. They further undergo another advanced training session of nine months.

Once the commandos are recruited into the NSG, they have to go through a probationary period. During this period, around 50-70 percent recruits opt to drop out as they are unable to deal with the harsh conditions.

During the shooting practice, they have to stand right next to the target and that too without wearing bulletproof vest. The one who shoots the target has to be that precise that he doesn’t hit his partner. Moreover, NSG commandos are specifically trained to take headshots.

For a commando to be a part of NSG, it is compulsory to have a target striking rate of atleast 85 percent.

The shooting practice is so rigorous that a commando fires more than 14,000 rounds in just two months.