In a major step to enhance combat readiness along the borders with Pakistan and China, the Indian Army is set to raise the first five ‘Bhairav’ light commando battalions by October 31. Each battalion will comprise 250 specially trained and equipped soldiers, designed to bridge the gap between regular infantry and elite Para-Special Forces.
The Army’s long-term plan envisions the creation of 23 ‘Bhairav’ units, progressively drawn from existing infantry formations under the “save and raise” model, without fresh troop accretions. Unlike standard infantry battalions of 800 personnel, the leaner ‘Bhairav’ units will be highly mobile, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons, drones, and surveillance systems to conduct rapid strike and high-impact tactical operations.
Of the first five battalions, three will come under the Udhampur-based Northern Command—one each for 14 Corps (Leh), 15 Corps (Srinagar), and 16 Corps (Nagrota). The remaining two will be deployed in the desert terrain of the western sector and the hilly terrain of the eastern sector.
The soldiers selected for the ‘Bhairav’ battalions will undergo two to three months of specialized training at regimental centres, followed by an advanced attachment with Special Forces units in their operational theatres. Each battalion will include seven to eight officers leading the teams.
These new units will complement the Army’s 10 Para-Special Forces and five Para (Airborne) battalions, relieving them of routine tactical roles so they can focus on critical clandestine missions behind enemy lines.
The move comes weeks after Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced structural reforms, including the creation of new ‘Rudra’ all-arms brigades, ‘Shaktibaan’ artillery regiments, and dedicated drone platoons in all infantry battalions.
The expansion aligns with the recently released tri-service joint doctrine for Special Forces operations, which emphasizes precision engagement, deep insertion, and unconventional warfare as key to modern combat. India’s Special Forces ecosystem currently includes around 1,600 Garud commandos in the IAF and over 1,400 Marine Commandos (MARCOS) in the Navy.
