Address At The Colour Presentation To The National Security Guard, Manesar
Manesar : 16.10.2004
Mission for National Security Guard
I am delighted to be with you today in this colourful, solemn and inspiring ceremony. It gives me great pleasure to present the colours to the National Security Guard. My greetings to Commanding Officers and all ranks of the National Security Guard which is a unique establishment having personal drawn from both the Army and the Police Force. I am also happy to note that the NSG including a complement of fifteen women commandos drawn from the Central Police Forces.
During the last two decades the NSG has been carrying out many counter hijacking and counter terrorist operations and has been providing security for the VIP. Recognizing the acts of courage and bravery demonstrated by NSG personnel over two hundred and forty medal of various type has been awarded to them including one each Ashok Chakra, Saurya Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Param Vishist Seva Medal.
NSG Operations at Critical Needs
When I study the major operations and important achievement of NSG three operations comes to my mind. Operation Cloud Burst was carried out by NSG Commandos during June to November 1990. In this operation, the terrorist hideout in the border districts of Punjab viz. Taran-Taran, Batala, Gurdaspur, Algaon Kothi was neutralized. Eleven terrorist were killed and large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered. NSG lost two of its Commandos Hari Singh Negi and Ranger Anil Kumar.
The second operation was Operation Ashwemedh which took place on the night of 24 / 25th April 1993. This was a counter hijack operation at Amritsar Airport to rescue 126 passengers and six crew members of Indian Airlines Flight No. IC-427 going from New Delhi to Sri Nagar. In this operation the hijacker was killed and hostages were rescued safely without any damage to the aircraft.
The third operation was Operation Vajrashakti carried out at Akshardam temple, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat on the night of 24 /25th September, 2002. The NSG Commandos stormed the temple complex and shot dead two terrorist. Commando Suresh Chand Yadav made supreme sacrifice. Another Commando Surjan Singh sustained grievous injury and later succumbed to his injury. I am sure the bravery encourage demonstrator by these personnel will be followed by many of the NSG Commandos in future operations.
Information technology in NSG
I suggest that additional technologies are injected in NSG The high performance computers and microprocessors with fast algorithm software have become one of the most important modules for NSG. In addition, Internet provides opportunity to access any type of information faster from any place as communication is linked through satellites. This should be used carefully.
Virtual library today exists and accessed through Internet. In such a situation, the operating system what is commercially available can have intentional bugs that will be detrimental to the national security. In view of this, it is necessary to develop our own operating system. Similarly, many of the chips have embedded software which could be carrying invisible information. This needs special encryption/decryption technology and software specific to our NSG requirements.
Emergency of new Technologies
We should make efforts to reduce the number of casualties occurring in each operation. The advent of new technologies has provided a new dimension for policing, surveillance and dealing with terrorists and maintaining law and order in the state. Advanced sensors have become crucial to forewarn many situations and to keep surveillance. The provision of state of the art communication systems including mobile systems, night vision devices, battle field surveillance radars, information technology solutions, micro gadgets, intelligent networking with security and precision weapons can provide better managed solutions for critical operations. It will help you to plan and execute difficult and complex missions with precision and low casualty rate. With the use of these technologies I am sure, you will come out with flying colors in all your operations.
Periodical training of the NSG with experiences from crime complexities and technological advancements is vital. Also, secured networking of all sub-units of NSG to their HQ and important stations is essential. I am confident that no sacrifice too great for the honour and integrity of our motherland. I am sure, the NSG will march from strength to strength under the colours which will inspire you to attain greater glory for yourselves, your units and the nation.
I congratulate you on your remarkable turnout, bearing and steadfastness on parade. I wish you success in all your missions.
May God bless you.