Archive · 14 Nov 2025
NSG Conducts Counter-Terror Drill on Ganga River Cruise in Varanasi
Imagine a big boat on a river is like a small town.
Sometimes, bad people might try to take over the boat, hold people hostage, and plant bombs.
So, India's special police force, called the NSG, pretended this was happening.
They jumped from a helicopter onto the boat to practice saving everyone and disarming the bombs.
Other police and helpers from different groups, like the people who manage the rivers and a rescue team, also joined in.
They did this to make sure they are ready to protect everyone on these river boats, especially since more people are enjoying river trips now.
NSG commandos conducted a counter-terrorism drill named 'Operation Ganga Guard' on a Ganga river cruise ship in Varanasi.
The drill simulated a terrorist siege scenario with hostages and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on board.
NSG 'black cat' commandos rappelled from an IAF helicopter, supported by divers and speedboat assault teams.
The exercise involved multiple agencies including the Uttar Pradesh Police, IWAI, NDRF, and the Indian Air Force.
The drill aimed to test and improve India's response capabilities for threats to inland waterways and the growing river cruise industry.
- Who
- National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, Uttar Pradesh police, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- What
- Conducted a mock counter-terrorism drill simulating a terrorist siege with hostages and IEDs on a cruise ship
- When
- Friday, November 14
- Where
- Onboard a cruise ship on the Ganga river in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at the Ravi Das ghat
- Why
- To validate India's response capabilities against escalating threats to its inland waterways and river cruise industry, amid rising interest in river cruises making them potential targets.
- Event
- Counter-terrorism mock drill 'Operation Ganga Guard'
- Location
- Ganga River, Varanasi (Ravi Das ghat)
- Date
- Friday, November 14
- Participating Agencies
- NSG, Uttar Pradesh Police, IWAI, NDRF, Indian Air Force
- Objective
- Validate response capabilities against threats to inland waterways and river cruise industry