New Delhi: The country's elite counter-terrorist force NSG is functioning without its top operations commander for almost six months as both the Home and Defence ministries have not been able to get a suitable Army officer for the job.
The last incumbent of the post - Inspector General (Operations) Major General RS Pradhan was repatriated from the elite commando force on July 12 last year even before he completed his stipulated three-year tenure.
Pradhan had joined the 'black cats' on June 21, 2010 on deputation from the Army.
Sources in the Home Ministry said that at a time when the NSG has spread its security web by deploying its crack commandos in various important cities across the country, the absence of the top commander can turn out to be a costly affair for the force in the possible event of a terrorist attack or an hijack attempt.
"The Home Ministry has twice drawn the list for appointing an eligible Major General rank officer in consultation with the Ministry of Defence but they have still not been able to find a suitable officer for the crucial post. The NSG's fighting forces are under the command of the IG (operations) and the officer is next in command to the NSG DG in terms of operations," a top source said.
According to sources, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had some time back approved the name of a senior Army Major General but the posting has still not taken place. The Ministry of Defence, according to sources, is still to give its nod on the selection.
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