India’s counter-terrorist force trained MR's security personnel: Force Chief

India's federal counter-terrorist force NSG has trained a select group of personnel who protect Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the chief of the commando force said on Friday. 

According to Economic Times, NSG director general (additional charge) S S Deswal said this in his address on the occasion of the force's 36th Raising Day.

He said the force has acquired the most modern weapons and equipment to distinguish itself as a "world class zero-error force".

"The NSG close protection force has trained 21 personnel of Sri Lanka's PM security division in close protection skills. The honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka wrote to the honourable Indian PM and praised the training," Deswal said.

He, however, did not mention the time period when these personnel were trained by the NSG.

The National Security Guard, also known as the 'black cat' commandos, was raised as a federal contingency force in 1984 to undertake specialist counter-terrorist, counter-hijack and hostage rescue operations.

It has a special component called the CPF (close protection force) that provides security to high-risk VIPs under the top category Z+ cover.

It has about 13 protectees under its charge at present, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.