NEW DELHI: Was there a delay in deploying National Security Guards in Mumbai to launch anti-terrorist operation? The Union Home Ministry does not accept the suspicion but it acknowledges that logistics of dispatching elite commandos to various parts of the country were being relooked to face urban terrorism.
The terrorists in Mumbai had taken over two hotels and a Jewish centre on Wednesday night, but the NSG commandos could reach the city only around 6.15 am on Thursday. Maharashtra police had immediately requested for Central assistance after the terrorists entered the three premises.
The officials said precious time was lost in arranging for a special aircraft for the NSG team. The transferring of equipment from NSG headquarters in Manesar on the outskirts of New Delhi also took time. The Indian Air Force aircraft IL-76 came from a transport squadron in Chandigarh.
The first batch of around 200 commandos could not leave New Delhi before 4 am.
Till they reached the spot to take control of the operations, the only available specialised force in Mumbai was that of marine commandos. It was only incidental that the marine commandos, MARCOS, operate from Mumbai. They filled the gap till NSG commandos arrived on the scene.
The officials admit that urban terrorism requires quick responses and there were serious logistical issues in deploying NSG commandos based near New Delhi to far-flung corners of the country in the time of crisis.
An official said that if an attack takes place in Chennai, the NSG would take not less than five hours to reach the city.
The Home Ministry on Friday discussed the scenario and felt that a new mechanism could be developed to reduce NSG’s reaction time in critical situations.
The Centre has asked states to develop specialised anti-terror forces of commandos on the lines of NSG to deliver an immediate response. The government has not ruled out the possibility of having a dedicated aircraft for the NSG so that it does not have to depend on IAF.
The operation being carried out in Mumbai required a large deployment of commandos. There are 447 NSG commandos in Mumbai at the moment who were dispatched in three batches. It was the largest deployment by the force till date, said officials. The operations were carried out by the Special Operations Group of NSG which essentially comprise Army officers working on deputation in the elite force.