The Hindu : Front Page : NSG commandos for anti-naxal operations

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Thursday, Nov 17, 2005

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NSG commandos for anti-naxal operations

Special Correspondent

2 squadrons, to be stationed in Patna, will launch operations only on specific inputs.

Information flow is not up to expectations Short-term strategy evolved High-profile prisoners to be shifted

NEW DELHI: The Centre is sending two squadrons of the National Security Guards commando force to Patna on Thursday to undertake ``specific operations'' in naxal-infested areas in Bihar.

The Home Ministry move to send the crack commando force, for the first time to take part in anti-naxalite operations in the State, comes three days after the raid on the Jehanabad district jail and police lines by Maoists who freed more than 300 prisoners, mostly their cadres.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Ashish Kumar Mitra, Special Secretary (Internal Security), said 280 commandos would be stationed in Patna and they would undertake operations only on ``specific inputs.''

To a query, he said there were ``specific'' intelligence inputs on the movements, hideouts and cells of naxalites and the NSG, being a strike force, would be involved in tackling them. ``There is inflow of information on naxalites but it is not as good as we would like it to be.''

The Ministry chalked out a short-term strategy, involving the arrest of those who stormed the jail, recovering the abducted persons to avoid any communal backlash and tracing the escapee prisoners. '

Two helicopters were stationed in Patna for reconnaissance.

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