http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1789915.cms
NSG can now fly by pvt jets in hijack situations
Saurabh Sinha
[ 22 Jul, 2006 0033hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
 
 
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NEW DELHI: To ensure quick action in case of a hijack situation, the Centre has decided to do away with the regulation that requires National Security Guard (NSG) personnel to be ferried in aircraft belonging to government agencies only.

The decision was, in fact, taken just two weeks before the 7/11 blasts. According to the new rules issued by civil aviation ministry, NSG men can now be ferried in any aircraft to deal with a hijack situation anywhere in India.

"There has been a heightened security alert in the country and aviation industry is a prime threat. The elite security force trained to deal with hijack situations, NSG, is based in Delhi.

It is certainly a possibility that when the need arises to immediately fly them out of Delhi to deal with a hijack situation, no government plane is available at that moment. Hence, this decision was taken," said a source.

The idea is also to take hijackers by surprise. Earlier, the landing of an Indian Airlines or an IAF aircraft was a sureshot way of declaring the arrival of NSG.

Now, the crack team could arrive in a plane of any of the private carriers. The source said private airlines may not be willing to 'endanger' their aircraft in such situations.

To ensure that such problems of 'unwillingness' don't arise, the ministry order is binding on all aircraft that have a permit from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).