List of Special Operations Forces in India. The Special Forces of India are Indian Military units with specialized training in the field of special operations.
They include:
- Para Commandos: Formed in the year 1966, it has 8 battalions with their regimental center at Bangalore. It is the most important part of the Special Forces in India with the motto of Shatrujeet (The Conqueror).
- Special Frontier Force: Founded on 14 November 1962, it has its headquarters at Chakrata, Uttarakhand. Its main goal originally was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in the event of another Indo-China war.
- Ghatak Force: Ghatak is a special operations capable infantry platoon. Ghatak (meaning lethal) act as shock traps and usually contain 20 men.
- Force one: The Force One is an elite commando force, which is a specialized counter terrorism unit to guard the Mumbai metropolitan area. Formed on 26th November 2010, it main concern is law enforcement it the city.
- Marcos: MARCOS is an elite special operations unit of the Indian Navy. It is active from the year 1987 and is nicknamed as magarmach (crocodiles). With the motto of “The Few The Fearless” , the MARCOS have been engaged in various mission including the Kargil War and counter terrorists operations in Kashmir.
- Garud Commando Force: it is a Special Forces Unit of the Indian Air Force. Formed in September 2003, 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. Its motto is “Offence is the Best form of Defence”.
- National Security Guard: Formed in 1984, it was primarily being used for counter-terrorism. The NSG’s roles include conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists, responding to hijacking and piracy and protecting VIPs.
- Special Protection Group: It is the executive protection agency of the Government of India. It is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister of India, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members. It was formed in 1988 and has an annual budget of approximately 279 crore.
- Cobra: It is the specialized unit of the CRPF created to counter the naxalite activities in India. It was formed on 12 September 2008 and has a motto of “Victory or Death”. They are specially trained in guerrilla warfare in the Army’s elite Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School.
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