''Black Cat'' commandos to be deployed in J&K anti-terror operations

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 21

At a time when security forces are gearing up for a major offensive against militants, the elite National Security Guards (NSG) commandos are getting ready to take part in anti-militancy operations in Kashmir.

Over a dozen NSG commandos are camping at the Border Security Force camp at Humhma, on the outskirts of Srinagar city, and have been training for over a week to familiarise themselves with the anti-militancy operations. The Home Ministry has already approved the induction of NSG into Kashmir. 

“The NSG commandos are being made familiar with the overall situation and are training and doing drills with other forces to build synergy during operations. These elite commandos, with sophisticated weapons, will soon be working alongside other security agencies, especially against the holed-up militants in built-up areas,” an official said. 

NSG has so far never been used in anti-militancy operations in the troubled state. 

The deployment of NSG commandos, sources said, is aimed at reducing the forces’ causalties, especially when militants are holed up inside buildings or houses. At least 116 security personnel have lost their lives in Kashmir since the beginning of 2017.

“More commandos are likely to join the training in the coming days,” sources said. “Once the training is over, they will be kept available for being part of the anti-militancy operations.” At present, the anti-militancy operations are being carried out by the police, Army and CRPF.

The Army has been also using the services of elite special forces. Last year, the Air Force deployed over two dozen commandos. Three IAF commandos were killed in two operations last year.

Guv calls all-party meeting today

Governor NN Vohra has convened an all-party meeting on Friday, two days after the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the PDP, leading to imposition of Governor’s rule. The meeting, scheduled for 4.30 pm, will be attended by leaders of all political parties barring the CPM, whose legislator MY Tarigami will be in New Delhi. TNS