The document outlines the structure and operations of India's special forces, which include the para special forces of the army, the marcos of the navy, and the garud commando force of the air force, each with distinct roles and training. It details the rigorous selection process and specialized training for these forces, including notable operations such as the 1984 Operation Blue Star and the 2019 surgical strike in Pakistan. Additionally, the document mentions the Research and Analysis Wing's special unit for covert operations, further highlighting the multifaceted roles of Indian special forces in both peacetime and wartime scenarios.

1. Indian Special
Forces

2. Introduction
• The Special Forces of India refer to those Special forces units which are
serving the Republic of India and are specifically organized, trained and are
equipped to conduct and support special operations.
• The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces have separate special forces
units, namely the Para SF of Indian Army, MARCOS of Indian Navy and the
Garud Commando Force of Indian Air Force.
• However, small groups from these units are deputed in the Armed Forces
Special Operations Division, which has a unified command and control
structure.The Research and Analysis Wing, the external Intelligence
agency of India, has it's separate special forces unit called Special Group.

3. Indian Army
• Para (Special Forces), commonly known as Para SF, is the special
operations unit of the Indian Army. Para Special Forces was created in Indian
army in 1966.There are total 9 special forces battalions. These forces have
carried out different operations for the country.
• Enrolling in Special Forces is very hard.To get admitted in Special Forces,
you first need enroll in Indian Army. If you score 100% in your physical test
and above 50% in written test of Indian Army then you are eligible to be
enrolled in Special Forces. If you clear above requirements then you are
recommended in Special Forces by your respective Assistant Returning
Officer (ARO).

4. • Special Forces cadets are trained for very hard environments.They are
trained for High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) and High-Altitude Low
Opening (HALO) for landing with parachute.They are tasked with missions
such as special operations, direct action, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism,
special reconnaissance, counter-insurgency, seek and destroy and personnel
recovery.

5. Some of the operations of PARA SF:
• In 1984 the Para (SF) were involved in Operation Blue Star.They were
charged to lead an attack on the Holy Site of the Sikh religion the Golden
Temple to evict Sikh militants in Punjab.
• With the capture of Maldives, an island nation off the south western coast of
India, on 3 November 1988 by the People’s Liberation ofTamil
Eelam (PLOTE) mercenaries, the army turned to the 50 (Independent)
Parachute Brigade to carry out an airborne/air transported operation to
liberate the country and return power to the legal government.

6. • Based on precise intelligence inputs, the Indian Air Force and 21 para (SF)
carried a cross-border operation along the Indo-Myanmar border and
destroyed two militant camps one each of the National Socialist Council of
Nagaland (K) (NSCN) and the KangleiYawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).The
operations were carried out inside Myanmar territory along the Nagaland
and Manipur border at two locations. One of the locations was near Ukhrul
in Manipur.The army attacked two militants' transit camps.
• The latest engagement of Para SF is the surgical strike on terrorist camps in
PoK on 29th September, 2019.This strike was in response of terrorist attack
on Uri air base.They destroyed four launch pads of terrorists in PoK.

7. Indian Air Force
• The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force.
It was formed in September 2004 and has a current strength of over 1500
personnel.The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature
in Hinduism. After attempts by terrorists to attack two major air bases in
Jammu and Kashmir in 2001, Indian Air Force commanders felt the need for a
specialized force to protect these critical elements and to have a dedicated
Commando Force trained in Special Forces technique, Combat Search and
Rescue, Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and
Emergency in response to terror-threats to airfields.

8. • Garud trainees undergo a 72-week.The BasicTraining course, which is the
longest among all the Indian special forces but it also includes basic training.
The total duration of training before a trainee can qualify as a fully
operational Garud is around 3 years.

9. Wartime duties:
• During hostilities, Garuds undertake combat search and rescue, rescue of
downed airmen and other forces from behind enemy lines, suppression of
enemy air defence (SEAD), radar busting, combat control, missile and
munitions guidance ("lasing" of targets) and other missions in support of air
operations. It has been suggested that they undertake an offensive role
including raids on enemy air bases etc. during times of war.
• Apart from protecting air bases from sabotage and attacks by commando
raids, they are also tasked to seal off weapons systems, fighter hangars and
other major systems during intrusions and conflicts.

10. Peacetime duties:
• During peacetime, apart from protecting the air bases and other vital
infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Garud roles include counter terrorism,
anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, aid during natural calamities and military
tasks in the interest of the nation. As in the case of the failed attack on
Awantipur AFS in October 2001, Garuds act as an emergency terror-
response team.

11. Indian Navy
• MARCOS is the special forces unit of the Indian Navy which is responsible
for conducting special operations. Officially called the Marine Commando
Force (MCF), MARCOS was raised in February 1987.
• MARCOS are capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea,
through air and on land.The force has gradually acquired experience and an
international reputation for professionalism over the time it has been in
existence.

12. • The MARCOS are capable of undertaking operations in all types of terrain,
but are specialized in maritime operations.The force has undertaken
numerous joint exercises with special forces from around the world.The
MARCOS presently has approximately two thousand personnel, though its
actual strength remains classified.

13. Research and Analysis Wing
• A special unit of special forces is formed under RAW namedThe Special
Group. It was formed in 1981.The responsibilities of the Special Group
includes clandestine intelligence operations and covert operations, with
which the Government of India may not wish to be overtly associated.This
unit carry out special covert operations outside India in foreign countries.
• The Special Frontier Force is a confidential special forces unit of
the Research and Analysis Wing which was created on 14 November 1962 to
undertake operations against the Chinese People's Liberation Army. SFF is
also known as the Establishment 22.The force was put under the direct
supervision of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis
Wing. It consists primarily ofTibetan people who are tasked to undertake
operations in the tough terrain of the Himalayas andTibet, whose main goal
was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in war.

14. Some Equipment used by Special
Forces

15. Assualt Rifle Sub Machine
Gun (SMG)
Sniper Rifle Handguns Others
M4A1 Carbine Micro Uzi Dragunov SVD Glock 19 Franchi SPAS
TavorTAR 21 Heckler and
Koch MP5
Barrett Model
98B
SIG Saucer
P226
IMI Negev
FN Scar SAF Carbine
2A1
IWI Galil 7.62 Berretta 9mm M249
Steyr AUG Brugger and
Thomet MP9
Heckler and
Koch PSG1
B300 Shipon
SG 550 IWITavor X95