Gandiv Exercise: Testing India's Crisis Response

The National Security Guard (NSG) will engage in a comprehensive multi-state counter-terrorist exercise called 'Gandiv' on Friday. The objective is to evaluate the nation's readiness and crisis response capabilities in addressing terrorist attacks and hostage situations.

The drill will unfold during the intervening night of October 3-4 in several key locations, including Varanasi, Chittorgarh, Pune, and Jammu. It features the participation of NSG's 'black cat' commandos, as well as collaboration with state police forces and other relevant agencies.

The exercise will encompass scenarios such as counter-terrorist actions, hostage rescues at religious sites, and handling IED threats. The efforts will be supplemented by various state and central agencies to highlight rapid mobilization and intelligence coordination crucial for countering emerging terror threats.