Manesar (Haryana): President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Oct 16, 2004) called for "injecting" new technologies, including advanced surveillance systems and precision weaponry, into the elite National Security Guard (NSG) so that the number of casualties occurring in operations can be brought down.

"We should make efforts to reduce the number of casualties occurring in each operation. The advent of new technologies has provided a new dimension for policing, surveillance and dealing with terrorists and maintaining law and order," he said after presenting coveted colours to the force on its 20th Raising Day in Haryana.

The President said provision of State-of-the-art communication systems, intelligent networking and precision weapons will help the force in planning and executing complex missions with precision and low casualty rate.

The scientist in the President was quite evident as he said, "I suggest that additional technologies are injected into the NSG" but warned against presence of "intentional bugs" in the software used by the force.

In view of high-performance computers and microprocessors with fast algorithm software becoming one of the most important modules for the NSG, the force should be careful in using commercially available operating systems as they can harbour "intentional bugs that will be detrimental to the national security," Kalam explained.

"In view of this, it is necessary to develop our own operating system," he said.