He said that at present four cities will have NSG hubs while the rest of the cities will be covered by an anti-terrorist force provided by the defence forces. Bengaluru for the time being, will have an anti terrorist force covered by the defence forces, he added.
However, over a period of time more NSG hubs across other cities will come up, Chidambaram assured.
Chidambaram said, "At present there are 100 persons from all the ranks of the army in the anti-terrorist force. Each one is well trained and would be available for the deployment at a very short notice."
He however added, that the existing force will be strengthened further. "A 600-member team of the anti-terrorist force will be formed and the members would be from all ranks," Chidambaram said.
"250 members in two phases will be trained and included into the anti-terrorist force," he added.
The ATF is a quick reaction team which will handle Mumbai-like attacks. The home minister had mooted the idea of setting up NSG hubs in four major cities. The rest of the cities would have a quick reaction team in the form of the ATF.
This is the first visit by Chidambaram to Bangalore after the Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa cancelled appointments to meet him thrice in the past.
However the chief minister decided not to be a part of the home minister's visit this time too.
The Karnataka government was represented by the home minister, Dr V S Acharya. The CM prior to Chidamabaram's visit held a high level meeting with Acharya and other top officials and briefed them on what needed to be discussed with the Union home minister.
