The National Security Guard (NSG), the federal contingency ‘Zero Error’ Force mandated to neutralise terrorism and hijacking threats in all its manifestations at the pan India level, has launched a weeklong exercise ‘Gandiv’ to validate planning parameters.
Gandiv is a national-level annual crisis response mock exercise of NSG to validate its planning parameters. The third edition of Gandiv is being conducted from August 22 to 28. The exercise will cover potential targets in Uttar Pradesh, NCR, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, depicting Multiple Cities Multiple-Targets scenario cumulatively covering approximately 30-35 targets, the NSG said in a statement.
In the Gujarat chapter of the exercise, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar cities have been selected based on threat assessment and recommendations of the State Government. A total of 26 important buildings which include educational institutions, hotels, government offices and commercial areas were recceed in detail by NSG officials and eight locations have been selected to conduct the exercise.
During the exercise, NSG, apart from validating its own drills, procedures and SOPs will also assist to hone the counter terror skills of State administration, police, Anti-Terror Squads (ATS) and create awareness among the general public. Exercise will be witnessed by officials of the ministries of home and external affairs as also Central paramilitary forces, State agencies and foreign delegates.
“This exercise assists in validating the drills and procedures of all personnel, district and state agencies and National Security Guard towards further enhancing their Response Mechanism when employed in such a scenario,” it said.
As part of preparedness to neutralise terrorism and hijacking threats, the NSG maintains multiple Task Forces in a state of readiness to mobilise in 30 minutes. The Force carries out recce of sensitive targets and all the airports in the country. In addition, the Force also undertakes Sky Marshal Operations on international and domestic aircraft and also provides security cover.