NSG commandos to depose in 26/11 trial

The Centre on Thursday agreed to let three National Security Guards (NSG) commandos, involved in the anti-terror operations during the 26/11 attacks, to depose before the special court conducting trial of the case.

The Centre on Thursday agreed to let three National Security Guards (NSG) commandos, involved in the anti-terror operations during the 26/11 attacks, to depose before the special court conducting trial of the case.

This will be for the first time in 25 years, since the NSG was raised, that commandos of the elite force will depose as witnesses in a terror case.

The Bombay high court, however, has imposed certain conditions about deposition of the commandos after the Centre moved a petition saying it will be dangerous to reveal identity of the commandos and their counter terrorism tactics.

According to the guidelines, the commandos will not be deposing in person but via video conferencing, their identity will not be revealed, only specific questions about their role in the anti terror operations will be asked and no question about their methods and techniques be asked. The high court has also directed the special court to take its permission before summoning any more commandos.

Three NSG commandos, including Lt.Col. R K Sharma, have been summoned by the special court to depose as witnesses to give details of the operations which lead to killing of nine of the ten attackers.

The commandos will depose on November 9.