Best Special Forces in India: Training, Missions & Duties

The Indian Special Forces have always been a major role player from the beginning of warfare. The Special Forces have a long list of several successful missions and operations as they continue to adapt to emerging global trends. 

This includes focusing on irregular warfare, emphasising joint operations, using advanced technology and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

There are seven top Special Forces in India, three of which have independent specialised forces units. The others operate under government departments but are out of the control of Military Commandments.

Special Forces are military assets thoroughly trained and designed to conduct tactical actions by delivering strategic outcomes. They are specialised in a way that they can respond to any terror threats and take necessary actions to complete a mission. 

They evolve to meet challenges and improve their psychological, cognitive, spiritual, social and physical performance. For this purpose, they use cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, crewless aerial vehicles and several modern technologies to support their mission objectives.

Through special strategic study, Indian Special Forces continuously assess the regional, national, global and even space threats. They do it to alleviate these threats through proper training, foresight, planning, and excellent supply chain management. The list of best Special Forces in India includes the following:

1. Marine Commando Force (MARCOS)

Marine Commando Force, or MARCOS, is one of the top Special Forces in India, raised by the Indian Navy in 1987. They undergo special reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, direct actions and counter-terrorism.

Training

• They undergo rigorous training for three weeks after commandos undergo a ten-week basic training program. 

• After this, commandos go for advanced training where they learn special skills, such as weapons training, combatting in different terrains, etc. 

Important Missions 

MARCOS have participated in several missions, some of which include the following:

• Operation Tasha (1991) against the LTTE

• Operation Zabardust (1992) against a ship carrying armaments

• United Nations Operations in Somalia (1993)

• Kargil War (1999)

• Operation Black Tornado (2008)

Duties of MARCOS

The duties performed by MARCOS are as follows: 

• Providing special operations against terrorism

• Providing special reconnaissance and surveillance missions 

• Assisting in amphibious actions

• Performing diving operations and other secret activities within enemy territory

2. Parachute Regiment Special Forces (PARA-SF)

Parachute Regiment Special Forces or PARA – SF was raised in June 1966 and are the largest of the Indian Special Force units. This highly trained Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army indulges in quick deployment of the soldiers so that they can attack the enemy from behind. 

Training

• Surviving alone

• Guerrilla warfare

• Crawling through mud

• Surviving and navigating in a jungle 

• Learning foreign languages that they can speak in hostile territories and behind enemy lines

• Planning strategies and carrying out operations in small teams 

Important Missions 

PARA-SF has participated in several missions, some of which include the following:

• Operation Mandhol (1971)

• Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1987)

• Operation Cactus in the Maldives (1988)

• Operation Apache (2001)

• Kargil War (1999)

• Operation Khukri in Sierra Leone (2002)

Duties of Parachute Regiment Special Forces

Parachute Regiment Special Forces undergo several tasks, which include the following:

• Performing hostage rescue operations

• Undergoing counter-terrorism operations

• Providing special reconnaissance missions

• Undergoing special operations and direct action wherever necessary

• Undergoing counter-insurgency

3. Garud Commando Force

Garud Commando Force is another one that deserves mention under the list of top Special Forces in India. This Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF), was raised in 2004. It includes providing rescue operations during calamities, ensuring successive missions in support of air operations and protecting critical Air Force bases. Garuds form the IAF's commando force with greater multi-tasking capabilities like the PARA commandos and the Marine Commandos.

Training

• Candidates eligible for the Special Forces undergo a fifty-two-week basic training course.

• In this training, they undergo training in survival abilities, special operations training, basic airborne training, and many others.

Important Missions 

Garud has completed several missions, some of which include the following:

• Garud has been deployed to Congo as a part of a UN peacekeeping mission (2004)

• They operate alongside Army special forces in Jammu And Kashmir to gain operational experience

• Garud played a significant role in the Pathankot attack (2016)

Duties of Garud Special Forces

Garud Special Forces undergo diverse responsibilities and tasks, which include the following:

• Performing peacetime duties which include - protecting the air bases and other vulnerable assets from terrorist attacks.

• Performing hostage rescue, anti-hijacking missions, and counter-terrorism missions.

• Undergoing missions for suppressing the enemy air defence

• Performing combat control, radar busting, and missile and ammunition assistance are significant roles they perform during wartime.

• Assuring aid during natural calamities.

• Rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory, providing air traffic management to air bases and building air bases in hostile areas.

• Destroying enemy assets and disrupting enemy air defences and radars.

• Understanding the results of Indian airstrikes and engaging laser designators to lead Indian attacks.

4. National Security Guard (NSG)

The National Security Guard is India's premier special Counter-Terrorist Force and is a significant part of India's state security mechanism. National Security Guard conducts anti-sabotage checks, assures VIPs' security and neutralises terrorist threats. There are over 7500 personnel in this Special Force and divided between the Special Rangers Group (SRG), Special Composite Group (SCG) and Special Action Group (SAG). 

Training

• Candidates must undergo two training courses - basic and advanced levels. 

• The duration of the basic training is of fourteen months which commandos receive at the training centre. 

• After completing the nine-month training, candidates must go through advanced NSG training.

Important Missions 

Some of the missions of NSG include the following:

• Operation Black Thunder (1986)

• Operation Ashwamedh (1993)

• Operation Vajra Shakti (2002)

• Operation Black Tornado (2008)

• Combat missions in Jammu and Kashmir

Duties of National Security Guard

The National Security Guard is under the direct command of the National Security Advisor and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs. National Security Guard undergoes diverse responsibilities, such as:

• Undergoing counter-terrorism operations

• Protecting VIPs

• Protecting the Prime Minister of India and other dignitaries on foreign travel

• Combating terrorist attacks and counter-hijacking

• Protecting Indian states against attacks and internal disturbances, and assassination missions.

• Ensuring strategic assistance to the special armed forces in locational and logistics information.

• Ensuring maritime security in India's coastal regions, ports, and merchant shipping areas.

• Providing safety and security for the Indian High Commission in foreign lands and protecting their Indian nationals who visit various offices abroad. 

• Ensuring the protection of foreign dignitaries visiting India. It includes – State heads, business leaders, diplomats, and governments.

• Providing security to Indian border posts in critical areas, especially in the land borders with Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.

5. Ghatak Force

The Ghatak Force is one of the best Special Forces in India, having an infantry that performs killing and spearheads strikes ahead of a battalion. Every infantry battalion in the Indian Army consists of one platoon. Ghatak Soldiers are superiorly armed and trained well to handle challenging situations. 

Training

• Commandos are evaluated through speed marches, in battle armour ranging from 20 to 60 km. 

• Depending on their role and duties, successful candidates undergo special training sessions in close-quarter combat. 

• In addition, they must know counter-ambushes, demolition, bomb disposal techniques, quick tactical shooting, etc.

Most of the commandos are not parachute-qualified. However, all infantry officers must pass the training course.

Important Missions 

Some of the missions of Ghatak include the following:

• Kargil War (1999)

• Operation Vijay (1999)

• Search and destroy operation against insurgents in Dubri village in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir

• Combat with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley on 15th June 2020

Duties of Ghatak Force

The primary role of the Ghatak Force is to be heavily armed spearheads during an operation or a conflict. Their tasks include:

• Carrying out special reconnaissance

• Undergoing raids on enemy artillery positions and airfields

• Functioning during hostage situations, terror strikes, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

• Directing air attacks and artillery on targets deep within the enemy lines

6. Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA)

Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, or COBRA, is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force or CRPF, established in 2008. It ranks as India's most successful and experienced law enforcement unit. Commandos are well-trained in Guerrilla Warfare. Currently, there are ten battalions in this section that receive extensive training to counter Naxalism and other attacks in India. 

Training

• COBRA battalions adapt in camouflaging skills and jungle warfare, focusing mainly on jungle warfare and Guerrilla. 

• All candidates receive training for helicopter-borne insertion and drops. 

• Refresher courses happen bi-annually and annually to ensure that the commandos function well. 

• They learn GPS and map reading techniques, strategising and execution of operations, intelligence gathering, and fast-roping activities.

• These commandos also learn to track and dispose of bombs, field engineering, survival, and jungle warfare missions.

Important Missions 

Some of the missions of COBRA include the following:

• Operation Chakravyuh (2018)

• Operation in Singamda Dantewada (2009)

• Operation in Duli Forest (2010)

• Operation in Kayma forest area (2010)

• Operation in Saranda forest area (2010)

Duties of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action:

The primary task of COBRA is to track, hunt and combat small Naxal groups. However, the other duties they perform include the following:

• Carrying out long-range patrols and reconnaissance

• Collecting information on the whereabouts of the terrorists

• Carrying out ambushes and precision strikes as and when necessary

• Parachuting into the ground or water

• Conducting close-quarter warfare

• Rappelling, climbing cliffs and ladders during missions

• Conducting missions in different terrains and climatic conditions

• Disarming, lifting, pulling and moving a non-compliant person

• Continuous analysis of situations during operations

7. Special Frontier Force (SFF)

The Special Frontier Force was raised in 1962 in the immediate aftermath of the Indo-China war. Based in Uttarakhand, it is the headquarters of the Special Frontier Force. Special Frontier Force functions under India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing or RAW. Moreover, SFF reports to the Prime Minister of India through the Directorate General of Security in the Cabinet Secretariat.

Training

The Special Frontier Force has six battalions - 1 Vikas, 2 Vikas, 3 Vikas, 5 Vikas, 6 Vikas, and 7 Vikas. Each battalion has 800 troopers.

• The commandos receive extensive training in guerrilla warfare and rock climbing. The training session happens for around six months.

• During the Indo-China war, commandos were trained as high-altitude paratroops, and experts in the art of demolition, survival, ambush, and sabotage.

Important Missions

SFF fought in several successful missions. However, the important ones are as follows:

• Operation Meghdoot ((1984)

• Operation Eagle (1971)

• Operation Vijay at Kargil (1999)

• Operation Bluestar (1984)

• Indo-Pakistan War (1971)

• Operation Snow Leopard (2020)

Duties of Special Frontier Force

The duties of the Special Frontier Force are as follows:

• The major function of the Special Frontier Force or Establishment 22 was to undergo operations and missions behind Chinese lines on the occasion of another Indo-China warfare. 

• SFF commandos invaded as guerrillas and destroyed Chinese communication, airfields, radars, damaged roads, etc. 

• Special Frontier Force commandos conduct secret operations and intelligence collection near the Line of Actual Control with China.

• Moreover, SFF commandos have been entitled by RAW and the Government of India in several overt and covert operations.

The top Special Forces in India function to combat critical missions of the country and on every imaginable terrain. They receive extensive training in the most advanced weaponry and use the best equipment, technology and gear during missions. However, beyond their training instils is the thirst for accomplishing their objectives. Therefore, from sabotaging enemy communications to disrupting enemy lines through guerrilla war-style tactics, they know what it takes to defeat enemies as Special Forces commandos.