Provide planes to NSG for anti-hijacking drills, home ministry tells airlines

The ministry has also asked the Border Security Force (BSF), which has its own air wing, to provide a chopper to the NSG.

The Union home ministry has told private airlines in the country to regularly provide their aircraft to the National Security Guard (NSG) for anti-hijacking drills that force regularly conducts.

Most planes of government-owned airlines were used by the NSG. (HT File Photo)

The issue came up during a review of the elite counter-terror and anti-hijacking commando force’s working by Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

“It is beneficial for the private airlines if the NSG remains familiar with all kinds of planes used by them. The issue is by and large settled,” said a senior home ministry official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

So far, mostly planes of government owned airlines were used by the NSG.

The ministry has also asked the Border Security Force (BSF), which has its own air wing, to provide a chopper to the NSG. “The NSG urgently needs a helicopter. The chopper may be given from the existing fleet of the BSF or from the Indian Air Force,” the official said.

‘Wifi on flights only with strict security’

The ministry also said it will allow commercial airlines to provide on board internet service only if they adopt strict safety measures.

Though, many international airlines offer on board internet , they have to switch it off in Indian skies .