NSG chief makes ‘explosive’ revelation, later says not serious
NEW DELHI: National Security Guard chief RC Tayal’s claim on Tuesday that the agency had defused a bomb (improvised explosive device) at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) building in Delhi two months back created quite a flutter.
Later it turned out that it was a vintage unexploded device known as unexploded ordnance and not an IED.
“There was an IED incident in DRDO Bhawan two months ago. When no one (security agencies) could not handle it, our unit went and defused it,” Tayal said during a function attended by Union home minister Rajnath Singh.
The remarks from the stage in the presence of the home minister, ministry staff and hundreds of officials and commandos of the NSG created so much flutter that Tayal avoided media queries after the function.
Asked to explain, he said, “It was not a serious issue.”
His junior officials clarified that it was not an IED but an unexploded ordnance (UXO) recovered during Delhi Metro Rail Corporation work near Civil Lines in Delhi.
“He was not referring to the DRDO at Vijay Chowk. A UXO was recovered during an excavation work for Metro rail near Metcalfe House (old DRDO building) which we defused,” an official, who did not want to be named, said.
NSG inspector general (operations) Major General Dushyant Singh spoke along similar lines. “It was a UXO that was recovered during work for a Metro station some time ago. It was defused by the NSG.”
The DRDO issued a statement later in the day.
“A vintage UXO was found during the excavation work for foundation of a DRDO building in North Delhi in April 2016. Delhi Police, NSG, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were immediately informed for necessary action. On advice of MHA, NSG lifted the ordnance from the site for safe disposal at their ranges. The area is now safe and construction of the building is in progress,” said spokesperson of DRDO.
POLICY ON GALLANTRY AWARDS
Speaking at the same function, Rajnath Singh said the government would consider rethinking the policy of bestowing gallantry medals on soldiers, including the NSG. Singh promised his ministry would take all steps to strengthen the special forces.
“We can plan a new gallantry award distribution policy. Nineteen NSG jawans have sacrificed their lives. We want them to honour them so that they become inspiration for others,” Singh said after inaugurating a newly-constructed building of the 52 Special Action Group of the National Security Guard at Samalkha, near the IGI Airport.
“I assure you the ministry would do whatever is needed to improve the infrastructure of this organisation,” he said.