Mall attack: NSG to take lessons from Kenyan cops

To take lessons in counter-terrorism, the country’s premier commando force the National Security Guard (NSG) wants to send its team to Nairobi, top officials in the force revealed on Wednesday. Rajesh Ahuja reports.

To take lessons in counter-terrorism, the country’s premier commando force the National Security Guard (NSG) wants to send its team to Nairobi, top officials in the force revealed on Wednesday.

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The Kenyan capital was under attack on September 21 after militants stormed into a shopping mall, killed 69 people and took many visitors hostage in the four-day-long attack.

“So far, very sketchy details are available about the attack. We have seen a spurt in shopping malls in the country. We want to gain first-hand knowledge about tactics adopted by the attackers in Nairobi to see how we can secure our malls better. A proposal is being firmed up by the NSG to be sent to the government for approval,” said a top official of the force requesting anonymity.

“We are counter-terror and anti-hijacking force. So there is a lesson to be learnt if any new is tactic adopted by terrorists anywhere in the world. Terror outfits are known to learn from each other, like the siege of the mall was similar to the 26/11 attack,” said the official.

Meanwhile, the NSG celebrated its 29th raising day here. The force honoured the families of its martyrs, including Dhanlaxmi, the mother of Major Sandeep Unnikrishan, who died during Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attack.