Joint Exercise “Tarkash” Conducted by US SOF and NSG in Kolkata

In Kolkata, the US Special Operations Forces (SOF) and India’s National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a joint exercise named ‘Tarkash’ in late April and early May. This exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations in densely populated areas, including close-quarter battles, hostage rescues, and long-range sniping. The operations were primarily nocturnal and took place at various locations such as a metro station, the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, and the NSG hub in Madhyamgram near Kolkata airport. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and share best practices between the two forces, covering urban counter-terrorism tactics, building intervention drills, and complex multi-target operations. The seventh edition of this Indo-US exercise also focused on bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism. The previous edition was held in Chennai in January 2023.