How to be a 'BLACK CAT' Commando?

India is well- known for its Elite Special forces across the world. These Special Forces are trained rigorously to adapt and prepare them for readiness towards any type of operation.

One of such Special Forces is National Security Guards(NSG) or Black cat commands in India. A lethal Commando Unit.

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Creation:

NSG is an elite counter-terrorism commando unit under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

It was founded on 15 October 1984, after Operation Blue Star, Golden temple and assassination of then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. They are used for combating terrorist activities and protecting against internal disturbances. They are meant to be used in Exceptional cases only.

Mission:

" Train, Equip and keep in readiness a special force capable of swiftly and effectively combating terrorism to live up with its motto -Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha ".

Specialisations:

NSG is a federal contingency deployment force specialised in:

• Counter- terrorist & Counter- Hijacking Tasks.
• Bomb Defusing (Search, Detection & Neutralisation of IED's)
• Hostage Rescue Missions
• Post Blast Investigations (PBI)

Units of NSG:

• Special Action Group (SAG): It is the main offensive and strike wing of the NSG known for its counter- terrorist and counter-hijacking operations. Most of its recruits are from the Indian Army on deputation. There are two SAG's 51 SAG & 52 SAG. Each SAG is headed by Colonel rank officer in Indian Army on deputation as Group Commander.

• Special Ranger Group(SRG): SRG personnel's are drawn on deputation from Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces. The role of SRG's is to render Logistics support to SAG's during counter-terrorist operations and are deployed for high risk VIP's/VVIP's. Currently, there are three SRG's SRG 11,12,13.

• Special Composite Group(SCG): NSG has set five regional hubs for counter- terrorist operations. Recruits are on deputation from both CAPF and Army. Headed by Colonel Rank officer on deputation as Group Commander.

Five SCG are:

• 26 SCG MUMBAI
• 27 SCG CHENNAI
• 28 SCG HYDERABAD
• 29 SCG KOLKATA
• 30 SCG GANDHINAGAR

• National Bomb Data Centre(NBDC): NBDC monitors, records and analyses all the bombing incidents across the country. It also analyses the world bombing incidents to gain expertise in different bombing related incidents. NBDC personnel are drawn from Indian army corps of Engineers on deputation and experts from CAPF's also. It's direction is colonel rank officer from Indian army on deputation.

How do Join NSG?

• Phase-1 : Pre- Selection Criteria
• Phase-2 : Selection & Initial Qualification Training.
• Phase-3: Advanced NSG Training for induction.

PHASE-1: PRE-SELECTION CRITERIA

• Minimum 3 years of service in Indian Army or 5 years of Service in Central Armed Police Forces.
• Age must not exceed 35 years.
• Physical & Psychological Tests.
• Medical Tests.
• Service Reports.

These are the Shortlisting Criteria to be black cat commandos for their entry into Phase-2 Training Process.

PHASE-2: INITIAL QUALIFICATION TRAINING:

Candidates has to undergo 14 months rigorous training at Manesar (Gurgaon). Starting 3 Months training is of basic course which includes:

• Cross Country Obstacle Course
• Jumping from Heights and across Divisions.
• Scaling Distinct Terrain Types.
• Endurance test involving Martial Arts, target shooting at the end of obstacle-ridden cross country obstacle run to check the performance of candidate under stress and exhaustion.

There are 26 such elements qualifying which a candidate become eligible to be sent for 9 months Advanced training period. Selection rate is very low during this phase. Most of the candidates gets failed at this stage.

PHASE-3: Advanced NSG Training:

It lasts for 9 months and includes the following:

• Unarmed and knife combat.
• Surveillance & Intelligent Gathering.
• Demolition & Bomb Disposal Techniques.
• Rapid & Reflex Shooting.
• Mirror Shooting.
• Specialised Infiltration Techniques.
• House intervention
• Underwater operations.
• Counter UAV and Anti- Drone Operations.
• Urban Counter terrorism 
  

and there are various specialisations for which NSG's are trained for.

Candidates completing their 14 months training are inducted into NSG and they are sent for more advanced combat training to Israel. They serves for 3-5 years on deputation in NSG and then are sent back to their parent units.

PHANTOM COMMANDOS

The best of bestest of the NSG commandos are trained at some unrevealed location for exclusive training thus making them efficient for the missions which are eminent in nature and needs to be accomplished without any mistake. Their identity is not disclosed.

Arms used by NSG:

• GLOCK-17 Pistol
• SIG SG 551 Assault Rifle
• FN SCAR Assault Rifle
• Heckler & Koch PSG1 A1 Sniper Rifle
• SIG MPX Submachine Gun
• Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun
• IWI Tavor X95 bullpup Rifle
• SIG716 PATROL G2 marksman Rifle
• Thunderbolt SC-86 .338 Lapua Magnum Sniper Rifle
• Glock Knives
• Corner Shot Guns

Important Missions by NSG:

• Black Tornado
• Black Thunder
• Vajra Shakti
• Ashwamedh
• Combat Missions in J&K