With energy sector figuring among terrorist targets, Thar Falcons -- specially trained commandos of Border Home Guards -- have been deployed to guard the nation's biggest oil field in Rajasthan.
On July 27, 115 personnel of Border Home Guards of Rajasthan were formally inducted at Cairn India's oilfields in Barmer, sources privy to the development said.
Cairn India-operated Barmer block has a total estimated gross in-place oil reserves of 7.3 billion barrels. The resource base supports the currently envisaged basin potential of 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) or 15 million tonnes of oil output in a year which is equivalent to about 40 per cent of India's total domestic current crude production.
The fields currently produce 175,000 bpd.
The cumulative oil output from the Rajasthan block since it began production in August 2009, has crossed 100 million barrels and has helped India reduce oil imports by USD 9 billion and has contributed about USD 3 billion to the exchequer.
Sources said the government had advised Cairn India to induct a well-trained and armed group as a measure to respond to a terrorist attack on its fields which lies very close to border with Pakistan.
In the aftermath of 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, the government had issued such advisories to all critical national assets.
This is the first time that trained commandos are being deployed at the 1.6 square kilometre Mangala terminal and the associated fields.
The specially trained group, Thar Falcons, took charge after an intensive commando training at Rajasthan Police Training Centre, Jodhpur under the supervision of Major General (retd) Dalvir Singh.
Thar Falcons exhibited their tactical skills during the induction ceremony, when they gave the demonstration on ambush, counter ambush, raid, building intervention, cordon and search.
Cairn India Director (Strategy & Business Services) P Elango was the chief guest at the induction function.