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11 PARA SF - VIPERS - The Unknown PARA Commando
Para (Special Forces),[5] also known as Para SF, are a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian Army. These units specialize in various roles including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defence, counter-proliferation, counter-insurgency, seek and destroy and personnel recovery.[6]
The unit's heritage stems from World War II, with the creation of the 50th Parachute Brigade in October 1941 under the British Indian Army. 9 Para SF was raised in 1966 as 9th Parachute Commando Battalion as part of the Parachute Regiment and is the oldest among the ten Para SF units of the Indian Army.[citation needed] It has been involved in various operations including the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Operation Bluestar, Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus, Kargil War, Operation Ginger, 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar,2016 Pampore stand-off, 2016 Indian Line of Control strike and in several anti-terror operations
Organization
The Parachute Regiment presently has twelve Special Forces, three Airborne, two Territorial Army and one Counter-Insurgency (Rashtriya Rifles) battalions in its fold. The regiment has tried raising new battalions to augment the strength of the special forces; however, the task has not been completed due to the tough selection phase. Furthermore, in the absence of a centralized command and lack of a centralized and standardized procedure for selection, even among the Para (SF) battalions, selection procedures vary. Meaning there is a different standard to get into different Para (SF) battalions.
In the mid-1980s, there were plans to take the three para commando battalions from the Parachute Regiment and bring them together under an individual specialized organisation, the Special Forces Regiment. However, after several logistic and administrative obstacles, these plans were abandoned, and they continue to be trained and recruited by the Parachute Regiment.
Para (SF) operate in assault teams, which work individually behind enemy lines, whereas the Paratroopers (Airborne) work in large teams and coordinate with other units as their role involves occupying large areas behind enemy lines. The total strength of the regiment stands at about 10,000, this includes five airborne infantry battalions, one Rashtriya Rifles and two Territorial Army battalion personnel, while the Para (SF) includes between 5,000 and 6,000 personnel. They have to hide their identity from general public.
The Special Group (aka 4 Vikas/22 SF/22 SG), a clandestine special forces unit which operates under Research and Analysis Wing, recruits from the PARA SF,[35] MARCOS, Garud Commando Force. Currently the Para Special Forces consists of 12 battalions:[36][37]
1 PARA (SF) – for urban warfare and CI/CT
2 PARA (SF) – for mountain warfare and CI/CT
3 PARA (SF) – for desert warfare and CI/CT
4 PARA (SF) – for mountain warfare and CI/CT
5 PARA (SF) – for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
6 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
7 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
9 PARA (SF) – for mountain warfare, urban warfare and CI/CT
10 PARA (SF) – for desert warfare and CI/CT
11 PARA (SF) – for jungle warfare and CI/CT[38]
12 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT
13 PARA (SF) – Unknown
21 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT[39]
23 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
29 PARA (SF) – for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT [r8aAM0G94cc] |