Iasscore:: Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 8- NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD (NSG)

Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 8- NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD (NSG)

History: 

The National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the county. Thus the primary role of this Force is to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions, and the State Police and other Central Police Forces cannot cope up with the situation. The NSG is a Force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional situations. The Force is not designed to undertake the functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces of the Union of India.

The NSG was modeled on the pattern of the SAS of the UK and GSG – 9 of Germany. It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Para Military Forces/ State Police Force. All the personnel are on deputation.

The National Security Guard (NSG) is a special force in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986. It works completely within the Central Armed Police Forces structure. The NSG is an elite force providing a second line of defence to the nation. They have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the unity of India and have commendably foiled attempts of anti-national elements to tear apart the social fabric of the country. The NSG has maintained an edge over terrorist outfits in possession of latest technology and are considered among the best special operations units in the world.

Aim:

The National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country and has acquired considerable experience from the intense insurgency operations it has faced – from the present conflict in the state of Kashmir to the cradle of its birth, the state of Punjab. Adopting a variety of roles from counter-terrorism to hostage rescue to VIP protection, the NSG proudly wears the mantle of being one of the finest counter-terrorist units in all of Asia. The NSG’s roles include conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists, responding to hijacking and piracy and protecting VIPs.

The NSG’s specific goals include:
• Neutralization of terrorist threats.
• Handling hijacking situations in air and on land.
• Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralization of IEDs).
• PBI (Post Blast Investigation).
• Engaging and neutralizing terrorists in specific situations.
• Hostage Rescue.
• The NSG operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by the Director General of the Indian Police Service (IPS). The NSG members are also known as Black Cats because of the black drill cotton coveralls and balaclavas or helmets they wear.
• The NSG has a total personnel strength of about 14,500. The NSG is modeled on Germany’s GSG 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9 or “Border Guard Group 9”). It is a task-oriented force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG). The NSG currently has two SAGs- 51 Special Action Group and 52 Special Action Group; and three SRGs – 11, 12 and 13. Each unit has 900 personnel.
• The Special Action Group is the strike force in anti-terrorist and anti-hijack operations, supported by the SRG. All the personnel in the SAGs and some support unit, training and headquarters are on deputation from Indian Armed Forces, the rest being drawn from the central police organizations. The SAG is the offensive wing drawn from units of the Indian Army. The SRG consists of members from Central Paramilitary Forces (CPFs) and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Police forces.
• This smallest combat unit in the NSG’s counter-terrorist operations is a “hit” which comprises five members – two pairs, or partners and a technical support member. Four hits make a team which is under the command of a Captain. The number of hits used for an intervention job depends on its complexity and the magnitude of the operations. In hostage rescue situations, a team of 50 to 90 NSG personnel and an IL-76MD strategic transport aircraft to transport them, are stationed on alert at New Delhi’s Palam Air Force Station and are ready to deploy within 30 minutes of being informed.

Iasscore:: Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 5- CISF

Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 5- CISF

It was set up under an Act of the Parliament of India on 10 March 1969 with a strength of 2, 800. CISF was subsequently made an armed force of the Union of India by another Act of Parliament passed on 15 June 1983. Its current strength is 165, 000. The strength will be raised to 200, 000 over the next 2-3 years. CISF is the largest industrial security force in the world.

It is directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and its headquarters are at New Delhi. The CISF provides security cover to 300 industrial units and other establishments located all over India. Industrial sectors like atomic power plants, space installations, defence production units such as the Indian Ordnance Factories, DRDO, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, mints, oil fields and refineries, major ports, heavy engineering, steel plants, barrages, fertilizer units, airports and hydroelectric/thermal power plants, and currency note presses producing Indian currency are protected by CISF. It thereby covers installations all over India straddling a variety of terrain and climatic conditions. CISF also provides consultancy services to private industries as well as other organization within the Indian government.

“The CISF came into existence in 1969 with a modest beginning, having three battalions, to provide integrated security cover to the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) which, in those years, occupied the “commanding heights” of the economy. In a span of four decades, the Force has grown several folds to reach one lakh twelve thousand personnel today. With globalization and liberalization of the economy, CISF is no longer a PSU-centric organization. Instead, it has become a premier multi-skilled security agency of the country, mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas. CISF is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments. Among the important responsibilities recently entrusted to the CISF are the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, VIP Security, Disaster Management and establishment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the UN at Haiti.

It is a testimony to the level of professional competence and standing acquired by the Force over the decades that its services are being sought for consultancy by the private sector also. Over the years, the CISF has provided Consultancy Services to more than 80 different organizations, including those in the private sector. After the Mumbai terrorist attack on November 2008, the mandate of the force has been broadened to provide direct security cover to private sector also. The CISF Act has been amended, heralding a new chapter in the glorious history of the Force.

Adaptability and use of cutting edge technology have been the hallmark of the Force which has always confronted new security challenges successfully. In view of the prevailing security environment in the country and threat from trans-national terrorism, the Force continuously strives towards technological modernization and skills upgradation to build an edifice of dedicated service to the Nation. The CISF is being continuously modernized, both in terms of equipment and training.

To be continued...

Iasscore:: Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 4- BORDER SECURITY FORCE (BSF)

Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 4- BORDER SECURITY FORCE (BSF)

INTRODUCTION:

Till 1965 India’s borders with Pakistan were manned by the State Armed Police Battalion. Pakistan attacked Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet on 9 April, 1965 in Kutch. This exposed the inadequacy of the State Armed Police to cope with armed aggression due to which the Government of India felt the need for a specialized centrally controlled Border Security Force, which would be armed and trained to man the International Border with Pakistan. As a result of the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, the Border Security Force came into existence on 01 Dec 1965, and Shri K F Rustamji was the first chief and founding father.

ROLE OF THE BSF:

SECURITY OF BORDER OF INDIA and matters connected therewith.
TASKS OF THE BSF:

The tasks of the BSF are divided as follows:

1. Peace time: 
• Promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas.
• Prevent trans border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India. 
• Prevent smuggling and any other illegal activity. 
In the last few years the BSF has, in addition to their duties, been deployed for counter insurgency and internal security duties 

2. War Time: 
• Holding ground in less threatened sectors. 
• Protection of vital installations. 
• Assistance in control of refugees.
• Anti-infiltration duties in specified areas. 

ETHOS:
The BSF, in its 41 years of existence, has emerged as an elite force of the country having excelled with distinction in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Its ethos is “Any task, any time, any where” and the BSF has given blood and sweat to execute its motto “Duty Unto Death”.

Iasscore:: Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 3- SSB

Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate: PART 3- SSB

SSB

Motto:- ‘Service, Security and Brotherhood’

SSB is a Border Guarding Force (BGF) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

SSB was set up in early 1963 in the wake of the Indo-China conflict to inculcate feelings of national belonging in the border population and develop their capabilities for resistance through a continuous process of motivation, training, development, welfare progrmmes and activities in the then NEFA, North Assam, and North Bengal, hills of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. The scheme was later extended to Manipur, Tripura, Jammu (1965), Meghalaya (1975), Sikkim (1976), border areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat (1989), Mizoram and South Bengal, Nagaland (1989) and Nubra Valley, Rajouri and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir (1991).

In the forty years of its existence, SSB endeavoured to present a benign face of the government among border populace in the far flung and inaccessible areas subscribing to the ETHOS of Service, Security and Brotherhood. The local populace always found SSB standing steadfastly with them during difficult times.

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on reforming the National Security System, SSB was declared as a border guarding force and lead intelligence agency (LIA) for Indo-Nepal border (January, 2001) and Indo-Bhutan border (March, 2004), the details of which are as under:-
(a) Indo- Nepal Border: 1751 km.
(b) Indo-Bhutan Border: 699 km.

Role:
• To promote sense of security among the people living in the border area
• To prevent trans border crimes and unauthorized entries into or exit from the territory of India.
• To prevent smuggling and other illegal activities.

Organization:
The highest-level headquarter of the force in the Force Headquarters (FHQ), also called the Directorate General of SSB, located in New Delhi. Force Headquarters (FHQ) is commanded by an officer to the rank of Director General. Frontier headquarters (FTR HQ) is commanded by an officer of the rank of Inspector General comes next in chain of command after FHQ. FTR HQR in turn exercises command and control over the sector HQs. There are Five FTR HQRs situated at Ranikhet, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri and Guwahati. The Sector HQs are commanded by Officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The Sector HQ exercise direct command and control over the SSB Battalions deployed in its area of responsibility along Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders.
SSB has departments of Telecom, Armour, Medical, Veterinary, MT, Clerical, General Duty, Intelligence, Operations, Personnel, Computer and Cipher and Legal.

To be continued in

IAS MAINS: VARIOUS SECURITY FORCES AND AGENCIES AND THEIR MANDATE : PART 4

Iasscore:: Various Security Forces & Their mandate Part 2 : ASSAM RIFLES

Various Security Forces & Their mandate Part 2 : ASSAM RIFLES

ASSAM RIFLES, Role and Tasks:

Conduct counter insurgency operations in the north-east and other areas where deemed necessary, under control of the army. During peace and ‘proxy war’, ensure security of the Indo-China and Indo-Myanmar borders. During war, rear area security in the TBA. Act as penultimate interventionist force of the central government in internal security situation, under the control of army; when the situation goes beyond the control of central paramilitary operations. 

The Assam Rifles: 178 Years of Glory and Sacrifice

The Assam Rifles raised as Cachar Levy in 1835 is the oldest Central Para Military Force in India. The Force was raised mainly to guard the alluvial plains of Assam from the wild and unruly tribes inhabiting the surrounding hill tracts. This was the earliest embodied unit of what eventually developed into the Assam Rifles. Gradually more such units were raised and employed for establishing posts in the interior and thus acted as the strong arm of the civil administration in extending their authority into these remote inaccessible areas. They also helped in opening up these remote areas and all development activities earning many accolades from the administration. The Assam Rifles contribution towards assimilation of the people of the North-East into the national mainstream is truly monumental. Their long association with the region reflects in the force being fondly called "The Sentinels of the North-East" and "Friends of the Hill People". As on today, the Force has 46 battalions and has a dual role of maintaining internal security in the North-Eastern region and guarding the Indo-Myanmar Border. Variously designated and reorganized from time to time, as the Assam Frontier Police (1883), the Assam Military Police (1891) and Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Police (1913), it came to be known by its present name of the Assam Rifles, in 1917 in recognition of its contribution to the war effort during World War I. During its long history, the Assam Rifles has earned many laurels both in aid to the civil administration as also fighting alongside the Army. The Force has been officered by Army Officers since 1884 and is today, on a per capita basis perhaps the highest decorated security force in the country. 

The Force has always extended a helping hand for humanitarian causes and in natural calamities. The force has made a significant impact on development activities in the North-East by way of construction of roads and tracks, water sup schemes, schools, community halls, play grounds for village children and repair/maintenance of buildings in the remote areas. Operationally, the force has a proud record of taking part in both the world wars and all post independence conflicts. During World War I, the Assam Rifles fought alongside the Indian Army in Flanders. In recognition of the excellent services rendered the force was christened as ‘Assam Rifles’. 

Assam Rifles remained untouched by World War II until the danger of Japanese invasion made it imperative to deploy forces on the North East Sector as well. WW II saw the force functioning as elements of the much fabled, hush-hush and ghost-like “V” Force, on reconnaissance and harassment missions behind Japanese lines in Burma. Many of its sub units fought alongside regular British and Indian troops in the fiercely contested battles of the Burma Front from Ukhrul to Kohima. Units rendered yeoman service in the management, evacuation and control of refugees of Burma/NEFA in the face of the onslaught of the Imperial Japanese Army in the First Burma Campaign of WWII. 

Following the end of the war, the five Assam Rifles battalions became part of the civil police under the Assam Inspector General of Police. After independence, however, the Indian government assigned the Assam Rifles its own Inspector General. The Assam Rifles were then placed under command of the Ministry of External Affairs as part of the North Eastern Frontier Agency. Post 1965 the force has come under the Ministry of Home Affairs while the operational control of the force continues to be with the Army. 

In 1947 the state of Tripura was threatened by Pakistani Irregulars from East Pakistan on the lines of their invasion of Kashmir. Ten platoons under the IGAR were flown to Agartala and carried out operations to deter the Pakistan irregulars from making any further move. The Assam Rifles contained the threat. The role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve; when in 1950 a devastating earthquake hit the Assam region and the force was called in to assist in the reconstruction of the areas and help in the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by it. 

In late 1953 the first signs of political unrest were noticed in Tuensang in Nagaland and the Indian Army was called in with the Assam Rifles providing the main force to contain the rebels. The grave threat posed by the insurgency necessitated the expansion of Assam Rifles. This also resulted in the creation of the Assam Rifles Training Centre at Missamari on 01 Jan 1959 that was designed to train 600 recruits at a time.
The force was once again called to undertake a combat role, when in 1959 the Chinese annexed Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet and came to India. He was received at the Chuthangmu Pass on the Mc Mahon Line by the men of the 5th Battalion Assam Rifles and escorted safely to Misamari in the Foothills. For this act, His Holiness donated all his weapons to the battalion and blessed the Force with the following words:- 
MAY YOUR LUCK INCREASE TO THE SIZE OF A MOUNTAIN MAY YOUR FAME BE SUCH AS TO COVER THE WHOLE SKY MAY YOUR KNOWLEDGE BECOME VAST AND DEEP AS THE SEA LONG AND HEALTHY LIVES TO YOU AND HOPE YOUR WORK. FOR OTHERS, WILL BE A SUCCESS. 

Following the annexation of Tibet by the Chinese, The Indian Army was compelled to adopt a forwards posture to prevent any Chinese occupation of Indian Territory by force. The Assam Rifles unit established new posts in uninhabited areas at high altitudes in order to maintain a constant vigilance of our border and when the Chinese finally attacked in Oct 1962, officers and men of the force fought bravely combating and delaying the Chinese advance thereby allowing the Indian Army to reach their battle locations in time. The Assam Rifles had once again proved their dependability. 

During the 1965 Indo – Pak conflict the Assam Rifles filled the void in Nagaland and Manipur due to the move of the army units for operations in the west. They conducted counter insurgency operations and were in addition responsible for the general law and order situation. Its deployment was further stretched as they were to stand in for the army along the Indo-Tibetan border and the international border with the erstwhile East Pakistan in Tripura. Rather thin on the ground, they fulfilled their assignments with the usual élan and fortitude. During the 1971 Indo – Pak conflict the brief encompassed not only Nagaland and Manipur but also Mizoram and Tripura, where active counter insurgency operations were in full swing. 

OP PAWAN in Sri Lanka saw the deployment of 22, 23 and 26 battalions from Dec 1988 to Feb 1990. 7 and 26 battalions also saw active counter insurgency operations in the Srinagar Valley. 

Through its long deployment in the tribal belt, the Assam Rifles have developed an ethos primarily based on friendship with the people of the region and have earned their complete confidence. The Assam Rifles have traditionally participated in all developmental activities of the region and have helped in bringing the people of this remote and under developed region into the national main stream. The Assam Rifles detachments located in remote areas continue to influence every aspect of the lives of the people of the region, be it education, health, constructional activity, agricultural assistance, veterinary assistance, or assistance during natural calamities. The humane, just and ever helping approach of the men of the force have managed to win the hearts and minds of the populace in a good natured and large-hearted manner. It is; therefore, not for nothing, that the famous and erudite anthropologist and naturalist Verrier Elwin, who was nominated by the Government of India as adviser on Tribal Affairs to North-East Frontier Agency; had this to say as tribute to the force:- 

“The custodians of law and order, the pioneers of every advance in to the interior, the guardians of our borders and, the friends of the hill people. Modestly, and without fuss, they have faced every hardship and difficulty, and thousands of villagers in the wildest of areas think of them with affection and gratitude”. 

At present The Force is a potent organization with 46 battalions and its associated command and administrative back up. It is designated by the GoM committee as the Border Guarding Force for the Indo – Myanmar border and is also its lead intelligence agency.

To be continued in part 3...

Iasscore:: Various Security Forces & Their mandate Part 1 : ITBP

Various Security Forces & Their mandate Part 1 : ITBP

VARIOUS SECURITY FORCES AND AGENCIES AND THEIR MANDATE

ITBP

Indo-Tibetan Border Police was conceived on October 24, 1962. ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act, however in 1992, the parliament enacted the ITBPF Act and rules there under were framed in 1994.
 

The “Himveers” and National Security
 

ITBP is a multi-dimensional force. Presently Battalions of ITBP deployed on Border Guarding Duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 KM of India China Border are manning Border Out Posts at an altitude ranging from 9000’ to 18500’ in the Western, Middle & Eastern Sector of India China Border. ITBP is basically a mountain trained Force and most of the officers & men are professionally trained Mountaineers and Skiers. They have scaled more than 140 Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest Four times (Recent successful expedition in April- May, 2012), besides ITBP battalions are also deployed on CI OPS/ IS/ VIP security duties at Chamba - Doda border in VA/Strategic locations and with VIPs in Delhi and VIPs in Srinagar J&K.
The border posts manned by ITBP are exposed to high velocity storms, snow blizzards, avalanches, and landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold, where temperature dips up to minus 40 degree Celsius. ITBP conducts Long Range and Short Range patrols to keep an effective vigil on inaccessible and unmanned areas on the border. To maintain optimum operational efficiency of troops, periodical tactical exercises are conducted independently as well as jointly with Army.

Multifarious facets of the Force

New challenging role that has emerged for ITBP is disaster management. Being the first responder for natural Disaster in Hamalayas, ITBP was the first to establish 06 (Now 08) Regional Response Centres in HP, Uttaranchal and North East and carried out numerous rescue and relief operations in various disaster situations, which took place in our areas of responsibility as well as other parts of the country. ITBP has already trained 1032 personnel in Disaster Management including 98 personnel in Radiological and Chemical/biological emergencies.

ITBP has established a National Centre for Training in Search, Rescue & Disaster response at Bhanu, Haryana which is imparting training to personnel of ITBP and other Paramilitary/State Police Forces. There is also a training centre for the Dogs at Basic Training centre situated at Bhanu. The center is known as NICD. Presently ITBP Commando’s are providing security to Embassy of India Kabul, Consulate General of India, Jalalabad and Khandar in Afghanistan since November, 2002. Besides this 02 Coys of ITBP are providing security to BRO personnel for their Delaram – Zaranj road construction project in Afghanistan since July 2004. ITBP has also excelled in UN peace keeping operation. The Force personnel have been deployed for peacekeeping operations in Angola, Namibia, Cambodia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mozambique and Kosovo. Presently 01 coy of ITBP is deployed in United Nation Mission in Congo since November, 2005. A National Centre for UNCIVPOL training has been setup at ITBP Camp, Tigri, New Delhi for providing systematic training to Indian Police Officers for deployment in UN Mission.

Functions & Tasks of the force:

1. Vigil on the northern borders, detection and prevention of border violations, and promotion of the sense of security among the local populace.
2. Check illegal immigration, trans-border smuggling and crimes.
3. Security to sentive installations, banks and protected persons.
4. Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance.
In border vigil task ITBP mans forward border posts at altitudes ranging from 9000’ to 18000’. Most of the forward posts remain cut off by the surface route during winter months. The border posts are exposed to the fury and violence of the nature like snow blizzards, avalanches, landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold where temperature normally remains below -40 degrees Celcius.

The force, besides guarding the border, is heavily engage in fighting terrorism in the State of J&K, where it has displayed exemplary nerve and gallantry.

The “Himveers”, as the personnel are affectionately called, also provide security cover to installation and to VIPs in Delhi. Each year ITBP Personnels are deployed to UN Peace Keeping Missions in Kosovo, Angola & Western Sahara and Sierra Leone. Crest of the Force epitomizes the Force motto “Shaurya Drindhdta Karamnishta” (VALOUR – DETERMINATION – DEVOTION TO DUTY) has Ashoka and Chakra on Top with two rifles. It inspires men to put duty before self.

Ecology, Disaster Management and other info:

ITBP is in the forefront of movement for the preservation of Himalayan environment & ecology. ITBP has taken up in a big way the task of greening the Himalayan regions especially in Inner Himalayas. Being the only human presence on forward areas, it has taken on itself the task of maintaining the delicate balance of flora and fauna.

ITBP being deployed in mountains has developed the expertise in rescue & relief operations in mountains, which entail different specialized skills of very high standard. It is always first in extending rescue & relief in case of natural calamity. Two major rescue & relief operations conducted by ITBP were during the massive land slide at Malpa village in the Kumaon Hills in Aug – Sep ’98 and in the major earthquake in Chamoli and Rudraprayag areas of Garhwal in the State of U.P in Mar – Apr ’99, along with the recent calamity that struck Kedarnath and other areas of Uttarakhand. 

ITBP conducts a large number of medical civic action programmes in remote border and terrorist affected areas to provide free and expert medical, health and hygiene care to the civilian population in remote villages. It is the only police force in the country, which possesses expertise in policing the most formidable mountains of the Himalayas. The annual pilgrimage to MOUNT KAILAS and HOLY MANSAROVAR LAKE in Tibet (China) is conducted under the wings of ITBP since 1981. ITBP provides communication, security and medical cover to the yatries from Gunji to Lipulekh Pass and back to Gunji in co-ordination with MEA and Kumaon Madal vikas Nigam.

To Be Continued with part 2....