NSG to probe commandos offering arms for puja

India’s elite anti-terror force, the National Security Guard (NSG) has taken a serious view of its commandos — attached to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi — performing “shashtra puja” (worship of weapons) and remaining unarmed for almost two hours in Gandhinagar on Monday.

India’s elite anti-terror force, the National Security Guard (NSG) has taken a serious view of its commandos — attached to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi — performing “shashtra puja” (worship of weapons) and remaining unarmed for almost two hours in Gandhinagar on Monday.

HT Image

“The NSG will conduct an internal inquiry to ascertain under what circumstances the commandos presented their weapons for a ritual and remained unarmed, flouting the strict guidelines that they must always hold their weapons when on duty,” said a government official, who did not want to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

On Monday, the NSG commandos had reportedly offered their sophisticated weapons for a ritual when Modi performed shashtra puja at his residence in Gandhinagar.

Even last year, a similar puja, involving the NSG men had been performed by the Gujarat chief minister.

Although it’s a common practice in paramilitary forces as well as the Indian Army to worship weapons, the NSG commandos — engaged in securing amongst the most threatened VIPs — participating in a similar ritual has not been taken kindly by the security agencies.

NSG director general N P S Aulakh refused comment on the issue.