were found wanting to deal with this menace. Specially equipped and trained forces like SAS of
UK, Delta Force of USA and GSG-9 of West Germany were raised abroad. The need for creating
a special force for executing surgical operations based on tactical intelligence was felt in India
when Operation Blue Star was carried out by the army at the Golden Temple, Amritsar in 1984.
National Security Guard (NSG) was conceptualised and created after studying and analysing
Special Force like SAS in the United Kingdom, GIGN in France, GSG-9 in Germany, Shar-et-
matkal in Israel and Delta Force in the USA. Accordingly, NSG was raised in October, 1985 as a
Federal Contingency Force under the MHA. It consists of selected and highly motivated
personnel from the army as well as the central armed police. 53 per cent of the personnel are
drawn from the army while the central armed police like BSF, CRPF and ITBP contribute 47 per
cent. NSG has a glorious heritage and is held in high esteem by the nation. Since raising, its
commandos have been employed in 114 major successful counter terrorist operations, earning
numerous awards and rewards including three Ashok Chakras, two Kirti Chakras, three Shaurya
Chakras and 10 PPMG. Nine NSG Commandos have also made the supreme sacrifice in living
up to the NSG’s motto of Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha.
Relevant Website: www.nsg.gov.in
Central Reserve Police Force
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was formed in July 1939 at Neemuch as the
Crown Representative’s Police. After independence it was renamed as the Central Reserve Police
Force and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the then Home Minister had visualized a multi-dimensional
role for it. The CRPF has innumerable achievements to its credit. It was the CRPF which bore
the brunt of the first onslaught of the Chinese aggression at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959 when
a small CRPF patrol was ambushed and heavily out-numbered by the Chinese army. In the
ensuing battle, 10 CRPF men laid down their lives. Every year 21st October is observed as the
Police Commemoration Day. The force proved its mettle in 1965 when a small contingent of
Second Bn CRPF, successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade on 9th April
at Sardar Post in Gujarat, killing 34 Pakistani soldiers and capturing 4 alive. Never in the history
of military battles have a handful policemen fought back a full-fledged infantry brigade in such a
manner. In this incident six valiant CRPF men also laid down their lives. As a tribute to the saga
of our brave men, 9th April is now befittingly celebrated as “Valour Day” in the Force.
The CRPF has also been deployed internationally at Kosovo, Haiti and Sri Lanka. In Sri
Lanka, two CRPF Battalions and one company of Mahila Battalion were a part of the Indian
Peace Keeping Force. The first major offensive of the LTTE directed against the CRPF, using
unconventional warfare was successfully repelled. Now, for the first time in the history of UN, a
fully formed women’s unit is posted in Liberia as a part of United Nations Peacekeeping
Mission. On December 13, 2001 when the terrorists attacked the Parliament House it was the
brave CRPF who successfully foiled the attack. In exchange of fire, all the five militants were
eliminated. Mahila Ct Kamlesh Kumari who sacrificed her life during the incident was, for her
exemplary bravery, awarded the highest peacetime Gallantry Award ‘Ashok Chakra’
posthumously. When 5 armed terrorists tried to storm the Ram Janambhoomi/Babri Masjid
Complex in Ayodhya in July, 2005 and had penetrated the outer security rings, they were
confronted by the CRPF posted at the inner security ring. The CRPF Jawans fought bravely and
thwarted the evil designs of the terrorists and successfully eliminated all of them on the spot.
From a single battalion in 1939 the Force has now grown to four zones, 20 Adm. Sectors, 2