In a remarkable display of precision, endurance, and operational mastery, the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh, conducted a high-intensity Helocasting exercise from CH-47 Chinook helicopters between 22 and 23 October 2025. The exercise marked another milestone in refining the water-borne infiltration capabilities of India’s elite Special Forces.
Helocasting, one of the most demanding insertion techniques used by Special Operations Forces worldwide, involves troops jumping from helicopters into water bodies to stealthily approach enemy territory. The SFTS operators — often referred to as the “silent warriors” of the Indian Army — undertook multiple helocasting runs from the CH-47 Chinook, a multi-mission heavy-lift helicopter of the Indian Air Force.
The exercise simulated infiltration into hostile zones, where commandos were tasked to secure high-value enemy targets with utmost stealth and speed. The training aimed to enhance their proficiency in maritime and riverine operations, combining physical resilience with mental acuity under challenging conditions.
Over two days, the participants demonstrated exceptional professionalism and team coordination, executing insertions with pinpoint accuracy. The drills included underwater navigation, recovery operations, and mock raids on simulated enemy positions.
A senior instructor at SFTS remarked that “Helocasting demands more than courage — it requires precision, timing, and absolute trust between men and machine. It’s where courage dives deeper than the depth itself.”
The Special Forces Training School at Bakloh, nestled in the Dhauladhar ranges of Himachal Pradesh, continues to serve as the nerve centre for shaping India’s most elite soldiers — those trained for unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, and clandestine missions.
By integrating advanced insertion techniques like Helocasting with modern air platforms such as the CH-47 Chinook, the Indian Army’s Special Forces are continually enhancing their capability to operate across multi-domain environments — land, air, and sea.
The exercise reaffirmed the unmatched readiness and versatility of India’s Special Forces, living up to their ethos — “The task before us is always greater than the means at hand, but we shall overcome.”
