NSG racing against time to make four regional hubs operational

Official sources said the 8,000-strong force is drawing men from its existing ranks for deployment at its hubs at Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai for both anti-terror and anti-hijack operations.

Sources said the force, which gets its men on deputation from the Army and paramilitary forces, is still in the process of recruiting additional personnel needed for the new hubs.

They said batches of 200-250 army commandos (drawn from the Special Action Group) and 50-60 paramilitary troops (drawn from the Special Ranger Group) would be deployed initially.

While the Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai hubs would "definitely" be operational by July one, the Hyderabad hub will take some more time.

Construction of commando barracks and training facilities have started at these hubs and the force, in coordination with the concerned state governments, is completing communication and other civic facilities at these camps.

Till the time the training facilities are developed at the new hubs, fully trained commandos from the Manesar (Gurgaon) garrison would be deputed to man these centres.

The new centres will be equipped with all facilities for launching counter operations, sources said adding that para-military commandos will provide backup support.

The decision to create new regional hubs was taken by the Centre after demands from various state governments for tackling major terror related activities.