NSG and US Army Conduct Joint Anti-Terror Drill at Infosys Hinjewadi to Evaluate Response Systems
A high-intensity joint anti-terror drill was executed at the Infosys Phase II campus in Hinjewadi, Pune, on August 5, 2026. The exercise involved personnel from the National Security Guard (NSG), the United States Army, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, and other agencies to evaluate emergency response and inter-agency coordination against potential terrorist threats.
The simulation, which lasted approximately five to six hours, commenced around 3 or 4 pm and concluded by 9 pm. It recreated a terrorist attack scenario at the prominent corporate facility located in the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, a significant IT hub in India, known for hosting numerous domestic and international companies and accommodating thousands of employees daily.
Participants in the drill included commandos and officers from the NSG's 26 Special Composite Group based in Mumbai, along with 17 commandos from the United States Army who are currently engaged in joint training exercises with the NSG. Local and state support was provided by the Maharashtra Police's elite Force One counter-terrorism unit, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police's Anti-Terrorism Branch, Quick Response Team, Riot Control Unit, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Hinjawadi Police Station, and Hinjawadi Traffic Division. Additionally, representatives from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's Disaster Management Department, MIDC Hinjawadi Fire Service, ambulance services, senior Infosys officials, and the company's security team participated.
Senior officials from the NSG, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, and Infosys oversaw the drill, which examined multiple response layers such as first responder roles, inter-agency coordination, crisis management, tactical intervention, attacker neutralization, bomb detection and disposal, cordon and search procedures, evacuation, crowd management, and internal security protocols of the company.
Dheeraj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), stated that the drill aimed to strengthen coordination among all stakeholder agencies and improve preparedness for rapid and effective responses to terror-related emergencies. The exercise concluded successfully, achieving its operational objectives.
Given Hinjewadi's status as a densely populated economic zone, readiness drills are a priority. The sudden presence of armed personnel and security convoys initially caused curiosity and temporary unease among local residents and employees, with reports of heightened activity. Authorities clarified that it was a planned exercise, and normalcy was soon restored.
The involvement of US military personnel is part of the ongoing India-US special forces collaboration. The NSG, also known as the Black Cats, regularly engages in joint counter-terrorism training with US Army Special Forces, including the long-standing Tarkash series of exercises focused on urban warfare and hostage rescue tactics. Regional hubs such as the 26 Special Composite Group in Mumbai were created following the 26/11 attacks to enable faster response and comprise personnel from both the Army and Central Armed Police Forces for rapid deployment.
These multi-agency drills serve practical purposes beyond raising public awareness, identifying gaps in communication, logistics, medical support, and on-ground coordination between elite central forces, state police specialized units, civic emergency services, and corporate security. For an IT campus, the exercise validates internal lockdown, evacuation, and information-flow protocols under realistic conditions. Successful completion underscores the commitment of security agencies to treat economically important soft targets with the same seriousness as high-threat locations.
In conclusion, the five-hour joint mock drill at Infosys Phase II in Hinjewadi on August 5, 2026, brought together NSG commandos from the 26 Special Composite Group, 17 US military personnel, Force One, multiple Pimpri-Chinchwad Police units, civic emergency services, and Infosys teams. It simulated a terrorist attack to assess and enhance rapid, coordinated response capabilities in one of India's critical technology and commercial hubs.
