NSG Enhances Sniping Capabilities of its Commandos
PTI | Updated: Jan 9, 2018, 20:20 IST
NEW DELHI: Elite counter-terror force NSG has bolstered its sniping capabilities so that it can effectively tackle terrorists and other emerging threats to national security, the force's chief said on Tuesday. The 'black cat' commando force has procured new sniper weapons and trained more sharp-shooters in the skill in the recent past and is increasingly using them for special operations, NSG Director General S P Singh said.
"The skill of sniping is a big asset for a commando force like us. We have put a greater stress on this domain," Singh told PTI.
The National Security Guard (NSG), he said, has also procured advanced sniping weapons and has trained more personnel for special tasks. The NSG DG, however, did not quantify the number of NSG commandos trained in the skill. Official sources said while snipers were essentially part of NSG assault teams in operations, their numbers were now being increased and used more frequently.
"So, the next time a counter-terror team is making an intervention where a terrorist is holed up, the snipers would not only give them a good cover but also help in neutralising the target in better time," a senior officer said.
PTI, in February last year, had reported that the force, has upgraded its sniper rifles and inducted the German PSG1 A1, which carries an enhanced number of 20 rounds***** to engage and pin down targets for a longer time and is complemented with longer range and extreme accuracy.
Heckler & Koch PSG-1A1
The 7.2kg rifle with telescopic sight is an upgrade of the PSG1 sniper variant being used by the marksmen of the NSG till recently.
The sniping discipline has also been included for the first time in the 8th All India Police Commando Competition, being hosted by the NSG this time. The competition, involving 25 teams from various state police and paramilitary forces, will begin this weekend at the NSG garrison in Manesar near here.
The DG said the NSG desires that all the security forces of the country have "synergy and inter-operability" when it comes to tackling terror threats and attacks. Singh said the force is "all prepared" to tackle any situation in the run up to the upcoming Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The NSG was raised in 1986 as the federal contingency force of commandos to counter any variant of terror or hijack threat.
NSG enhances sniping capabilities of its commandos - Times of India
An extract from Wiki regarding the -A1 variant:
" The PSG1A1 variant was introduced by Heckler & Koch in 2006, and features two major improvements. First, the cocking handle was relocated a couple of degrees counter-clockwise. This was due to the fact that when locked rearward, it could physically interfere with the long scopes often used on the rifles. The second modification involved the replacement of the outdated Hensoldt scope. Non-police users often found the scope's 600 m range limitation and simple crosshairs inadequate for their needs. In addition, the rechargeable batteries are difficult to recharge and to find replacements. A final fault is that Hensoldt does not service the scope in the United States. For these reasons, the PSG1A1 has been outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender 3-12×50 Police Marksman II scope, mounted on 34 mm (1.3 in) rings. One last modification involved converting the SG 550 Sniper stock to work with the PSG1. The H&K rifle now has a completely side-folding adjustable target stock removing a solid 10 inches (250 mm) in overall length. To remedy brass ejection a brass catcher must be installed. "
***** NSG already has 20-round magazines for their existing PSG-1s. The extended magazines are not coming exclusively with the -A1 upgrade.
NSG PSG-1 with the Hensoldt scope:
