Manesar (Haryana): The government will establish a new regional hub of the elite ‘Black Cat’ commando force, the National Security Guard (NSG), in Uttar Pradesh’s temple town of Ayodhya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday.
This will be the sixth NSG regional hub, following the existing ones in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Gandhinagar. The force also maintains a smaller ‘task force’ unit in Jammu.
NSG hubs across the country ensure that commandos can respond to any emergency swiftly and effectively.
Speaking at the 41st Raising Day of the NSG at its headquarters in Manesar, Shah said the Modi government is introducing major changes to strengthen the functioning of the elite force.
“So far, five NSG hubs have been established in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad (Gandhinagar). In addition, a new hub is going to be set up in Ayodhya where NSG personnel will be deployed and available round the clock,” Shah said.
The first four regional hubs—in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata—were operationalised in June–July 2009, following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. These hubs were created to ensure faster deployment of NSG commandos, who earlier had to be airlifted from Delhi, often causing delays.
A fifth hub was approved in Gandhinagar in 2011.
The NSG serves as a specialised backup force for prolonged, high-risk counter-terror operations. Its hubs not only enhance the operational readiness of commandos but also strengthen the capacity building of state police and first responders.
Raised in 1984, the NSG is recognised as a world-class “zero-error” force, capable of countering terror attacks, hijack attempts, and providing proximate security to high-risk dignitaries with minimal response time. The force comprises personnel drawn from both the Indian Army and the Central Armed Police Forces.
