SPECIAL FORCES OF INDIAN ARMED FORCE

SPECIAL FORCES OF INDIAN ARMED FORCE

Service before Self…

India has several Special Forces (SF) units. The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces have separate special forces units, viz.:-

  • The Para SF of the Indian Army
  • The MARCOS of the Indian Navy  
  • The Garud Commando Force of the Indian Air Force

 

 

 

Why we need Special Forces?

The concept of India’s Special Forces is to peacekeeping operations for both external and internal counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. As an emerging power in the Indo-Pacific region, India is looking to expand its strategic priorities. There are  situations, where the armed forces might be deployed beyond India’s borders, the preference will be to use élite forces capable of operating under a single command.

 

Let us discuss Special forces of Indian Armed Forces:

 

THE PARA SPECIAL FORCES OF THE INDIAN ARMY

 

"Men apart every man an emperor"

 

The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. Para (Special Forces), also known as Para SF, is the special operations unit of the Indian Army. It is attached to the Parachute Regiment. The unit specialises in various roles including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counter-proliferation, counter-insurgency, seek and destroy and personnel recovery.

The unit's heritage stems from World War II, with the creation of the 50th Parachute Brigade in October 1941. 9 Para SF, raised in 1966 as 9th Parachute Commando Battalion as part of the Parachute Regiment and is the oldest among the nine Para SF units of the Indian Army. The name are as follows:

1 PARA (SF),2 PARA (SF),3 PARA (SF),4 PARA (SF),9 PARA (SF),10 PARA (SF),11 PARA (SF),12 PARA (SF),21 PARA (SF)

Throughout history it has been involved in various successful operations including the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Operation Bluestar, Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus, Kargil War, 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar, 2016 Indian Line of Control strike and in several anti-terror operations.

 

 

ROLE OF PARA SF

  • Special Operations
  • Counter Terrorism
  • Hostage Rescue
  • Direct Action
  • Special Reconnaissance
  • Counter Narcotic Operations
  • Covert Operations
  • Counterintelligence
  • Counter Insurgency
  • Counterproliferation

 

 

 

 

THE MARCOS OF THE INDIAN NAVY

"The Few, The Fearless"

 

The Indian Navy, the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The Marine Commandos, abbreviated to MARCOS and officially called the Marine Commando Force (MCF), are the special forces unit of the Indian Navy and is responsible for conducting special operations. Nickname is Magarmach (The Crocodiles), Dadhiwala Fauj (The bearded army)

The MARCOS were founded in February 1987. MARCOS are capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea, in air and on land. The force has gradually acquired more experience and an international reputation for professionalism. The MARCOS regularly undertake specialised maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, a 65 square kilometres (16,000 acres) freshwater lake, and conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region. Some MARCOS units are a part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.

 

 

Role of MARCOS

  • Amphibious operations
  • Amphibious reconnaissance
  • Direct action
  • Hostage rescue
  • Counter-terrorism

 

 

 

 

THE GARUD COMMANDO  OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE

“Defence by Offence”

 The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed in September 2004 and has a current strength of over 1500 personnel. The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature in Hinduism.

Garud is tasked with the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities. Presently, Garuds are deployed in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping operations.

 

Role of GARUD commando

 

  • Special Operations
  • Counter Terrorism
  • Hostage Rescue
  • Direct Action
  • Special Reconnaissance
  • Counter Narcotic Operations
  • Covert Operations
  • Counterintelligence
  • Counter Insurgency
  • Counterproliferation

"If a man says he is not afraid of dying,

He is either lying or he is in Special Forces..."