Permanent security cover for N-centre

New Delhi: The federal Home Ministry has decided to provide permanent security cover to the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai.

The ministry is also likely to notify the constitution of an elite commando force Special Services Group (SSG) for VIP security in the country.

Around 400 armed commandos of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will be deployed at BARC.

Talking to this correspondent, a high ranking official of the Home Ministry said: "The decision to deploy CISF armed commandos at the BARC has been taken following the suspected terrorist attack at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore last week. The CISF has been asked to deploy commandos at the centre within one month."

The official further said: "Apart from providing security to the major sensitive installations in the country, the Union Home Ministry is likely to notify the constitution of an elite commando force Special Services Group [within CISF] for VIP security. SSG commandos will replace National Security Guard commandos deployed in VIP security."

The trained commandos of SSG will provide specialised security to 374 VIPs in the country.

The Home Ministry has already sanctioned training to around 1,900 commandos of CISF for VIP security.

The CISF is already engaged in security of 11 VIPs in the country. These VIPs include Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Governor of Goa and some Gujarat riots victims.

"The CISF has already given specialised training to more than 1,600 commandos for VIP security. Now these commandos will be engaged in the new assignment which the CISF is expected to get very soon," said the official.

The specialised training is being given to CISF commandos in the Deoli area of Rajasthan by experts from NSG.

The CISF personnel traditionally guard industrial installations of the Central government, sea ports and airports, he said. Now, CISF commandos will be given VIP security duty.

The National Security Guards are a commando outfit used to protect VVIPs. Besides protection, they are also responsible for neutralising terrorist threats around the country and striking down hi-jackers.