Independence Day and G20: NSG commandos undertake security drills; CAPF VIP security teams reach Delhi

Black cat commandos of the National Security Guard conducted security drills over the last few weeks to effectively secure the national capital during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations and the G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled next month, officials said on Saturday.

A contingent of about 500 commandos, snipers and VIP security personnel drawn from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been stationed in Delhi as part of the overall protection grid being laid by the central security and intelligence setup in view of the two events.

'The National Security Guard (NSG) conducted aerial insertion drills at multiple locations in Delhi to fine-tune security preparedness for Independence Day and other upcoming international events.

'Multiple contingencies were rehearsed involving other stakeholders to strengthen the response mechanism,' the federal counter-terrorist force said on its official handle at X (formerly Twitter).

A senior officer told PTI that multiple House Intervention Teams (HITs), snipers, K9 (canine) and bomb detection and disposal teams of the 'black cats' commandos force rehearsed these drills over the last few weeks, including air dropping of soldiers from a helicopter near the Akshardham temple in east Delhi.

Commandos and VIP security duty personnel from various CAPFs like the CRPF, ITBP, BSF, CISF and the SSB have been called to Delhi from their various field formations to render 'protocol and protection' duties during the G20 Leaders' Summit to be held here on September 9-10 at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre, earlier Pragati Maidan, and some other vital locations.

These special units, including that of the Delhi Police, will function under the central command of the Ministry of Home Affairs till the G20 meet gets over and all the premiers and dignitaries leave for their respective destinations, the officer said.