New Delhi, February 13

The National Security Guard (NSG) has ordered scrapping of the practice of holding separate induction courses for trainee commandos from the Army and the paramilitary to raise a more lethal and “composite” squad of elite soldiers.The NSG, acronymed the “black cats” and raised in 1984, will also now see trainees from the two forces sweating and dining together during the gruelling training sessions to forge a better camaraderie while on task. Till now, the officers and men from the two forces used to have separate three-month induction courses upon joining, even lodging and meals done separately.“If they (commandos) can work together, they can be trained together as well. Indeed that would be a step in the right direction,” NSG DG SP Singh reasoned in a communication sent to all his strike formations (hubs) and force commanders.  “I do not see any cogent and convincing reason for holding the Commando Conversion Course for Army and CAPFs personnel separately.”— PTI