NSG prepares Bangalore to thwart terror strikes

BANGALORE: National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, who were in the city recently on a three-day visit, are said to have found several loopholes in the security arrangements at a few vital installations. They also alerted the state’s Internal Security Division and local police.An NSG unit comprising 180 commandos had arrived in the city on August 3 to check the preparations to counter an attack. The commandos did a recce of vital installations and familiarised themselves with the structure and planning. They received a complete sketch of vital installations, hotels, malls and other places, to know how to operate in case of a terror attack.It is said that they also issued advisories to a few hotels to strengthen their security system and scrutinise every visitor before they check into the rooms.The commandos performed a mock operation at Taj Vivanta Hotel on MG Road on August 4 and at the WIPRO office in Electronic City on August 5. The operations lasted for five hours in which they created a hostage situation and rescued them.About 42 commandos of the state’s Centre for Counter Terrorism (CCT) also took part. On August 6, the NSG commandos gave a demo in case of a hijack of a Volvo bus at Yelahanka Police Training School. CCT chief Brigadier KA Muthanna said that the demo was held to familiarise themselves with key locations and be ready to face real situations.