Two national-level exercises at Manesar Garrison brought security forces together for joint counter-terrorism and counter-IED training, with about 850 personnel and 21 K9s taking part. The National Security Guard (NSG) concluded the two-week programme on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
44 teams took part in the exercises
Held under the aegis of the NSG Training Academy, the programme comprised the annual joint counter-terrorism exercise Agni Pariksha-XII and the counter-IED exercise Visfot Kavach-X. Of the 44 participating teams, 24 joined Agni Pariksha-XII and 20 took part in Visfot Kavach-X.
The exercises offered participating forces a setting to share operational experience and build coordination and understanding of joint counter-terrorism and counter-IED operations. Agni Pariksha-XII focused on preparedness, integrated responses, tactical proficiency and interoperability in addressing complex terrorist threats.
Focus on counter-IED preparedness
Visfot Kavach-X centred on threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a concern for security forces working in sensitive and high-risk environments. The 21 K9s participating in the exercises were part of the wider effort, with trained canine units contributing to specialised security operations such as explosive detection.
At the closing ceremony, the Director General of the National Security Guard emphasised jointness, integration and operational synergy in counter-terrorism and counter-IED operations. He also highlighted collective learning, innovation and the exchange of operational best practices as ways to strengthen responses to emerging security challenges.
The DG NSG reaffirmed the organisation’s role as a common national platform for inter-force collaboration and for enhancing the collective capabilities of India’s security establishment.
By assembling personnel from multiple forces, the NSG Training Academy enabled professional interaction, the sharing of specialised expertise and greater mutual understanding of operational procedures. The conclusion of Agni Pariksha-XII and Visfot Kavach-X marks the end of this year’s exercises, which focused on cooperation and operational integration among security agencies.
