When four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists attacked the Army’s 12th Brigade in Uri sector on September 18, as many as 19 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Sixteen of those soldiers belonged to 6 Bihar, while three belonged to 10 Dogra.
At the end of September, when Indian soldiers conducted surgical strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the troops included the crack Ghatak Platoons of the very same 6 Bihar and 10 Dogra battalions.
So, what actually is a Ghatak Platoon and what goes into the making of a Ghatak Platoon?
- True to its name, the Ghatak (which means deadly in Hindi) infantry platoon spearheads strikes ahead of a battalion. Every infantry battalion in the Indian Army has one such platoon and only the most physically fit and motivated soldiers make it to the Ghatak Platoon.
- The Ghatak soldiers are well-trained, well-armed and equipped to handle situations like terror strikes, hostage situations and counter-insurgency operations.
- They often act as shock troops and conduct assaults against enemy positions often without support from the rest of the battalion.
- Their operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoon of the US Marines (USMC) and the Patrols platoon of the British Army.
- They are often asked to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy artillery positions, airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters.
- They are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within enemy lines.
- A Ghatak platoon is usually 20-man strong, consisting of a commanding Captain, 2 non-commissioned officers and some special teams like marksman and spotter pairs, light machine gunners, medic and radio operator. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers.
- Most undergo training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka. Often, other specialised training like heliborne assault, rock climbing, mountain warfare, demolitions, advanced weapons training, close quarter battle and infantry tactics are also given.
- Members of the platoon are also sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School.
- It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando Training Course.
- These units are equipped with the Tavor TAR-21, INSAS or a version of the AK-47 as their primary assault rifle. The marksmen are equipped with the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle and Heckler & Koch MSG-90 sniper rifles. They wear standard issue camouflage and body armour.
- Depending on the mission, they may carry other items like ropes, climbing gear, grenades, rocket launchers, laser target designators and night vision equipment.
- In 2012 reports came in that all Ghatak platoons of the Army were getting the first lot of the latest weaponry aimed at equipping the troops to tackle newer forms of threats.
- With the changing scenario, four different sets of equipment would be added to the armoury of the Ghatak platoons.
- This would include new automatic sub-machine guns having rapid-fire, assault rifles and night firing capabilities.
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