NSG airbase for quick response becomes operational
To reduce the response time of the commandos in case of a terror strike or a hijack, the government has made the airbase near Delhi airport operational.
In order to reduce the response time of NSG commandos in case of a terror strike or a hijack attempt, the government has operationalised an airbase near the IGI airport here.A crack commando team of the elite force has been stationed and is ready to undertake operations from the complex spread over five acres of land located on the periphery of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on National Highway-8.The complex was inaugurated by Union home minister P Chidambaram yesterday.The NSG's response time during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks -- while moving from the national capital to the western metropolis -- came under criticism after which the government finalised a number of plans like creation of four hubs for deploying the specially trained men in minimum possible time.The complex has been named 'Sudarshan'-- the NSG symbolsignifying the mythological 'Chakra' of Lord Krishna whichdestroys the enemy and comes back-- would house and facilitatequick mobilisation of the counter terrorist task force of NSGcommandos enabling them to be airborne in minimum possibletime.The unit, comprising 50-60 commandos on a 24X7 basis, will only have to open a door and enter the tarmac of the IGI airport in case of a terror attack or a hijack attempt.The commando squad is armed with weaponry like MP5's, glock pistols and devices for aircraft intervention.Basic infrastructural facilities like single living accommodation, office block among others are already in place and construction of training and firing enclosures are also in the offing. The Airports Authority of India had handed over the land to the National Security Guard (NSG) in April last year.