NSG Stages Nationwide Exercise Gandiva To Test Counterterror Readiness
Exercise Gadiva by the Black Cat Commandos, the popular nickname for NSG, simultaneously took place in several cities in India. Image courtesy: AI-generated picture via DALL-E
India’s elite National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat Commandos, has carried out a sweeping counter-terrorism exercise across the country, testing the nation’s ability to respond to multiple, simultaneous attacks.
The exercise, codenamed Gandiva, simulated complex crisis scenarios from hostage rescues to chemical and biological threats. Conducted in partnership with state police, central armed forces, and local administrations, it aimed to sharpen coordination and ensure rapid deployment across diverse geographies.
What did the exercise involve?
Over the nights of October 3 and 4, the NSG mounted its most high-profile phase with simultaneous operations in Varanasi, Chittorgarh, Pune, and Jammu. Commandos rehearsed responses to attacks at religious sites, public venues, private facilities, and even river cruise vessels. Other drills included:
- Detection and disposal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
- Neutralising armed intrusions.
- Response protocols for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNe) incidents.
Senior officials from the NSG and the Ministry of Home Affairs oversaw the exercises, which were designed to replicate the tempo and unpredictability of real-world terrorist threats.
Why does it matter?
The scale of Exercise Gandiva underscored India’s effort to prepare for evolving threats that include coordinated multi-city attacks and unconventional weapons. It also showcased the ability of the NSG to integrate with local forces, airport and waterways authorities, and civil administrations—an essential factor in crises that cut across jurisdictions.
For the NSG, which was created after the 1984 Operation Blue Star and has since been central to India’s counter-terror strategy, Gandiva is part of its annual training calendar. Officials say the drills reaffirmed both the operational precision of the force and the country’s readiness to protect high-value and vulnerable targets.
What message does this send?
By mounting simultaneous, high-intensity operations across different states, the NSG sought to demonstrate that India’s counter-terror capability extends well beyond symbolic training. The exercise signals preparedness against a spectrum of threats, while also stressing inter-agency cooperation as a pillar of national security.
