•How fast does it happen in the NSG?

We give them 30 minutes to prepare. Once the alert has been sounded, they come, collect their weapons and other equipment, and proceed to the vehicles. It takes about 30 minutes for that. All other equipment is loaded in the vehicle and they go to the airport. The NSG is situated at Manesar, which is 35-40 km from the airport and, depending on the traffic, it takes almost an hour or more to reach the technical area.

•The technical area is the one which the Air Force uses at Palam airport.

Yes. The vehicles were ready and the men got into them. By the time the request came from the state Government to the Home Ministry, the men were already on the move. Then, the question of having an aircraft arose. The aircraft, an IL-76, which can carry 200 persons with ammunition, was available.

•What happened at that time? The plane did not come from Chandigarh?

No, the aircraft was available at the Indira Gandhi International airport and we were ready by 2.10 am. Then, we were told that the aircraft will take off at 2.20 am. Once the men are inside and the hatch is closed, the aircraft begins its checklist of switching on, etc, and that takes about 25-30 minutes. Even a helicopter takes 10-15 minutes to warm up. We took off from New Delhi at 3 am and by 5 am we were here.

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