Special forces of India

Last updated

India has several Special Forces (SF) units, with the various branches of the Indian Armed Forces having their own separate special forces units. The Para SF of the Indian Army, MARCOS of the Indian Navy and the Garud Commando Force of the Indian Air Force. There are other special forces which are not controlled by the military, but operate under civilian organisations, such as the National Security Guard under the Home Ministry and the Special Group under the Research and Analysis Wing, the external intelligence agency of India. [1] Small groups from the military SF units are deputed in the Armed Forces Special Operations Division, a unified command and control structure. [2]

Contents

R&AW, has separate special forces under its control, namely the Special Group and the Special Frontier Force. COBRA commandos are special guerrilla warfare fighter of CRPF known for their jungle fighting tactics India's only jungle warriors special force

Indian Army

Indian Para SF (in Ranger Green uniform) and US Army Green Beret during exercise Vajra Prahar, 2022 Ind para sf and US sf.jpg
Indian Para SF (in Ranger Green uniform) and US Army Green Beret during exercise Vajra Prahar, 2022

Para (Special Forces)

The Paratrooper (Special Forces), or Para (SF), are the special forces of the Indian Army. [3] [4] This unit was created in June 1966 in the aftermath of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war. An impromptu commando unit called Meghdoot Force, which took part in the 1965 war, formed the first nucleus of the permanent Para commando battalion which was to be raised under the Parachute Regiment. By 1969, the unit had grown into 2 battalions, viz. the 9 Para and the 10 Para. The unit's first combat missions were conducted during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war in which they undertook raids against Pakistan's military.

In 1988, 6 Para spearheaded the only foreign intervention operation conducted by Indian Armed Forces to restore democracy in Maldives by the order of prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The operation was code-named Operation Cactus. Operation Cactus was launched to thwart a coup against the government of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. [5] In the late 1980s, the Para (SF) were deployed in Sri Lanka where they conducted helicopter-borne assaults and security operations.

Since the 1990s, the Para (SF) have been deployed on counter-terrorism operations in the Kashmir region against insurgents. These operations include raids and ambushes. In 1999, Para (SF) undertook operations against Pakistan's military during the Kargil war which included raids against Pakistani infantry and special forces. In 2002, the 2 Para (SF) participated in Operation Khukri in Sierra Leone to rescue 223 soldiers of the Indian Army's 5/8 Gorkha Rifles who were deployed as UN peacekeepers but were surrounded by militants from the Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone. [6] Some of the later reported missions carried out by Para (SF) include the counter-insurgency operation purportedly undertaken inside Myanmar in 2015, and the 2016 Surgical Strikes. [7] [8] [9]

The list of PARA (SF) Battalions is as follows: [10]

  • 1 PARA (SF) "Pratham"
  • 2 PARA (SF) "Predators"
  • 3 PARA (SF) "Russell's Vipers"
  • 4 PARA (SF) "Daggers"
  • 5 PARA (SF) "Batalik"
  • 6 PARA (SF) "Sakht Para"
  • 7 PARA (SF) "SE7EN"
  • 9 PARA (SF) "Mountain Rats/Pirates"
  • 10 PARA (SF) "Desert Scorpions"
  • 11 PARA (SF) "Helleven"
  • 12 PARA (SF) "Dirty Dozens"
  • 13 PARA (SF) "Thunderbolts"
  • 21 PARA (SF) "Waghnakhs"
  • 23 PARA (SF) "Devil's Own"
  • 29 PARA (SF) "Warriors N Monks”

Indian Navy

MARCOS and US Navy SEALs, Urban Combat Training, MALABAR 2021 MARCOS and US Navy SEALs, Urban Combat Training, MALABAR 2021 (bright).jpg
MARCOS and US Navy SEALs, Urban Combat Training, MALABAR 2021

MARCOS

First conceived in 1985, the Marine Commando Force, also called MARCOS, was raised in February 1987. It is the special forces unit of the Indian Navy. [11] [12] Initially, the U.S. Navy SEALs and British special forces trained a few officers of the Indian navy who formed the first core of MARCOS. [13] [14] Months after their creation, MARCOS were deployed in Sri Lanka against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in July 1987. In the 1990s, MARCOS undertook numerous operations such as Operation Tasha (1991) against the LTTE, and Operation Zabardust (1992) against a ship that was smuggling arms and in support of the United Nations in Somalia (1993). They also participated in the 1999 Kargil War. [12] Since 1995, MARCOS are permanently deployed for counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir against militants. [12] [15] MARCOS had participated in efforts against the 2008 Mumbai attacks alongside the National Security Guards but their effectiveness was diluted due to bureaucratic indecision. [16] MARCOS have also been deployed in anti-piracy operations. [17]

After a 10-week-long basic training, MARCOS are sent to train alongside Indian Army's Para (SF) for 3 weeks. Advanced training follows, during which MARCOS learn skills such as sky-diving, weapons training, counter-insurgency, languages, and warfare in different terrains, among other things. Each MARCOS squad, called Prahar, is composed of 8 soldiers. [12]

Some of the responsibilities of MARCOS are- [18]

Indian Air Force

IAF Garud commando IAF Garud commando.jpg
IAF Garud commando

Garud Commando Force

The Garud commandos are the special forces of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Their tasks include counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, providing security to IAF's assets, and various air force-specific special operations. First conceived in 2002, this unit was officially established on February 6, 2004. [19]

All Garuds are volunteers who have imparted a 52-week basic training, which includes a three-month probation followed by special operations training, basic airborne training, and other warfare and survival skills. The last phase of basic training sees Garuds being deployed to get combat experience. Advanced training follows, which includes specialised weapons training. [19] [20]

The mandated tasks of the Garuds include direct action, special reconnaissance, rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory, establishing airbases in hostile territory, and providing air-traffic control to these airbases. [21] The Garuds also undertake suppression of enemy air defences and the destruction of other enemy assets such as radars, evaluation of the outcomes of Indian airstrikes and use laser designators to guide Indian airstrikes. [22]

The security of IAF installations and assets is usually performed by the Air Force Police and the Defence Security Corps even though some critical assets are protected by the Garuds. [19]

Research and Analysis Wing

Special Frontier Force

The Special Frontier Force was raised in 1962 to defend India's eastern border and to perform covert cross border operations.

Special Group

The Special Group is a clandestine special forces unit of the Research and Analysis Wing. It was formed in 1981. [23] The responsibilities of the Special Group includes clandestine intelligence operations and covert operations, with which the Government of India may not wish to be overtly associated. [24] [23]

National Security Guard

An NSG commando NSG 2024 04.jpg
An NSG commando

The National Security Guard (NSG) is a specialized counter-terrorism federal contingency force. It was formally created in 1986. It is based on the British Army's Special Air Service and the German GSG 9. [25] The NSG is popularly referred to as the 'Black Cats' due to its distinct black uniforms. [26] It consists of the following two elements [25] -

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of the Dominion of India. With the transition to a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special operations</span> Specially designated military operations that are considered unconventional

Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations may include reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism, and are typically conducted by small groups of highly trained personnel, emphasizing sufficiency, stealth, speed, and tactical coordination, commonly known as special forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Security Guard</span> Indian counterterrorism force

The National Security Guard (NSG), commonly known as Black Cats, is a counter-terrorism unit of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was founded on 16 October 1984, following Operation Blue Star against Sikh militants, to combat terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances. Formalised in the Parliament of India under the National Security Guard Act, 1986. NSG are recruited from both Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces, it is not strictly classified as a traditional paramilitary force. It operates as a specialised federal contingency unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MARCOS</span> Indian Navy special operations force

The Marine Commando Force (MCF), abbreviated to MARCOS, are the special forces of the Indian Navy. The MARCOS were originally named Indian Marine Special Force, which was later changed to Marine Commando Force to impart "an element of individuality" to it, according to the Indian Navy. The abbreviation 'MARCOS' was coined afterwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para (Special Forces)</span> Military unit of the Indian Army

Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), informally referred to as Para-Commandos, is a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian Army. These units specialise in various roles including counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, special reconnaissance and unconventional warfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garud Commando Force</span> Indian Air Force unit

The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed on 6 February 2004 and with a plan to have around 2,000-personnel strength. The unit derives its name from Garuda, a Hindu deity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Armed Forces</span> Combined military forces of India

The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. It consists of three professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Additionally, the Indian Armed Forces are supported by the Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Coast Guard and Special Frontier Force and various inter-service commands and institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Integrated Defence Staff. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces but the executive authority and responsibility for national security is vested in the Prime Minister of India and their chosen Cabinet Ministers. The Indian Armed Forces are under the management of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. With strength of over 1.4 million active personnel, it is the world's second-largest military force and has the world's largest volunteer army. It also has the third-largest defence budget in the world. The Global Firepower Index report lists it as the fourth most-powerful military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Forces (Maldives)</span> Military unit

The Special Forces (SF) branch of the Maldives National Defence Force is the elite Special Forces unit which is capable of planning and conducting a broad range of special operations.

The 51 Special Action Group is a special response unit of the National Security Guards (NSG) of India. It was raised by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Service Group</span> Special operations force of the Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army Special Service Group is the special operations forces of the Pakistan Army. They are also known by their nickname of "Maroon Berets" due to their headgear.

The National Special Operations Force (NSOF) has been Malaysia's main security force which serves as the first responder to any terror threats on the country's sovereignty after October 2016. The force covers elements from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in the Indian Armed Forces</span>

In the Indian Armed Forces women are allowed to join mainly in combat service support branches and in non combatant roles. The Indian Air Force had 13.09% female officers in 2018 and 8.50% female officers in 2014; the Indian Navy had 6% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014 and the Indian Army had 3.80% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014. In 2020, three officers had the rank of lieutenant-general or equivalent, all in the Medical Services. In May 2021, 83 women were inducted as sepoys for the first time in the Indian Army's Corps of Military Police. On 30 March 2023, 273 women were inducted in the Indian Navy as sailos for the first time in the history of the Indian Navy, total 2,585 agniveers passed out after successful completion of training from INS Chilka. The Indian Air Force got airwomen for the first time in its history on 7 March 2024 as 153 female agniveers passed out from the Airmen Training School, Belagavi with 2,127 male agniveers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces Special Operations Division</span> Joint formation of the Indian Armed Forces responsible for special operations

The Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) is an integrated tri-services division of the Indian Armed Forces. The division is tasked to carry out special operations. The AFSOD draws personnel from all three special warfare branches of the Indian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Group (India)</span> Confidential special forces unit of India

The Special Group (SG) is the black ops unit of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the foreign intelligence agency of India. It is responsible for covert and paramilitary operations and is known as 4 Vikas, 22 SF and 22 SG. Its responsibilities include conducting operations with which the Government of India may not wish to be overtly associated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir</span> Overview of the Indian military presence in Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir encompass the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, tri-service units such as the Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), and paramilitary organisations of the Central Armed Police Forces such as the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Sashastra Seema Bal and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Each three wings of India's military have their special forces deployed in the region including Indian Army's Para SF, the Indian Navy MARCOS and the Indian Air Force's Garud Commando Force. Apart from this, there is the elite police anti-insurgency force in the region, the Special Operations Group, of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Major General Dalvir Singh AVSM, VrC, VSM is a retired Indian Special Forces officer, a former General Officer of the Indian Army and the recipient of Vir Chakra, India's third-highest War-time gallantry award. He has commanded the 10th Battalion Special Forces, the elite 52 Special Action Group of the NSG, Kilo Force of the Rashtriya Rifles and the Territorial Army (India), with distinction. After retirement from active military service, he has been serving as the Director Training of Rajasthan Police Training Center Jodhpur.

References

  1. ↑ "Employment of India's Special Operations Forces" (PDF). Observer Research Foundation . June 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  2. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (16 May 2019). "Centre names officers for tri-service divisions". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  3. ↑ Shiv Aroor; Rahul Singh (20 September 2017). INDIA'S MOST FEARLESS: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN   9789386815422 . Retrieved 26 September 2020. As second-in-command, or 2IC, of an elite Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), or the Para-SF as it is called, Maj. Tango had...
  4. ↑ Katoch, P.C. "The Bane of Pseudo Specialisation" (PDF). Centre for Land Warfare Studies journal. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Manu Pubby. "India bringing Maldives into its security net". The Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2020. In 1988, India helped foil a coup attempt being assisted by Tamil rebels after it launched Operation Cactus on receiving a distress message from the then President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
  6. ↑ Dutta, Sujan (1 October 2016). "The special tip of the spear". Telegraph India. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "The Inside Story of India's 2016 'Surgical Strikes'". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  8. ↑ "Operation Hot Pursuit: Watch History TV18 unravel the inside story of Indian Army's daring counter-insurgency strike". Firstpost. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "Myanmar denies India killed rebels on its soil, says won't let foreign attackers use its territory". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "Welcome to The Parachute Regiment". www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Marcos get a new exclusive base at Bheemunipatanam in AP". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Vice Admiral GM Hiranandani (15 January 2010). Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy 1991–2000 (PDF). Lancer. pp. 81–82. ISBN   9781935501268.
  13. ↑ "Who Dares Wins". Outlook. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  14. ↑ Ryan, Mike; Mann, Chris; Stilwell, Alexander (2003). The Encyclopedia of the World's Special Forces: Tactics, History, Strategy, Weapons. Spellmount. ISBN   9781862272316. Volunteers from the diving unit were sent to train with the US Navy SEALs at Coronado, and a series of exchanges followed with the SBS. The result of this education in maritime special forces practice was the formation of the Indian Marine Special Forces in February 1987.
  15. ↑ "Now, MARCOS helping Army flush out terrorists in Kashmir". India Today. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  16. ↑ "Deadly delay in calling the marine commandos". The Economic Times . 30 November 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  17. ↑ "Indian Navy's Special Commandos Save Ship From Pirates In Gulf Of Aden". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  18. ↑ "INS Abhimanyu | Indian Navy". Indian Navy . Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 V.K. Bhatia, Air Marshal (Retd) (October 2009). "Special Forces - Garuds for All Reasons". SP’s Aviation. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  20. ↑ "Garud: IAF's commando force takes off". Rediff . Press Trust of India. 6 February 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Indian Commandos Heads To Israel For 'Major' Military Drill". Outlook. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  22. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (11 October 2017). "Garud commandoes take first casualties after operating for 12 yrs in J&K". Business Standard India. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  23. 1 2 "Special Group: Warriors of stealth". Hindustan Times. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  24. ↑ Unnithan, Sandeep (30 November 1999). "Operation Bluestar: The league of shadows". India Today . Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  25. 1 2 "History of NSG | National Security Guard". www.nsg.gov.in. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  26. ↑ "NSG's Black Cat commandoes get an upgrade". The Economic Times. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  27. ↑ "Uri The Surgical Strike Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal takes Pakistan head on in this military drama". India Today. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.