Special Security Forces of India

Special Forces at a glance 

The various military forces of the Government of India are overseen by different ministries and have separate mandates. The Ministry of Defence, with the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs, manages the majority of India’s foreign security threats.

Both the Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry are responsible for most internal security concerns and their management in border areas. Internal security risks such as insurgencies, separatism and riots are the Ministry of Home Affairs’ principal responsibilities.

In India, the security forces that deal with various threats are divided into the following categories:

• The Indian Armed Forces,
•  India’s Paramilitary Forces
• Central Armed Police Forces

These are all part of the Indian Armed Forces. Within each security force, India has dedicated Special Forces and two specialised Anti-Terrorism, Urban Warfare, and VIP Protection units.

Importance of Special Forces – why do we need such forces?

They protect VIPs, conduct anti-sabotage checks, and are in charge of countering terrorist threats to India’s critical infrastructure.

Specific Forces are military troops that have been trained to carry out special missions. Special operations are defined as military actions carried out by specifically designated, organised, trained and equipped forces, staffed by specially selected individuals and employing unusual tactics, techniques and modes of operation. As a result, Special Forces are elite and unique, as they are used for specialised combat missions that general-purpose forces cannot undertake at acceptable risk and cost.

Special Forces are frequently confused with units that perform covert operations for intelligence organisations.

Special operations are sometimes carried out by elite military groups and at other times by regular military troops. Often, intelligence agencies borrow Special Forces to carry out covert missions.

Different types of Special Forces

 NSG Commandos

• It was established on the 22nd of September, 1986.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has a special forces organisation called the National Security Guards.
• It was designed to combat the country’s rising militancy. It has a well-trained team that responds to emergency circumstances involving local police and special troops.
• The National Security Group (NSG) is a Federal Contingency World Class Zero Error Force tasked with combating all forms of terrorism. 
• The NSG has been specially equipped and trained to cope with specific scenarios and should only be employed in extraordinary circumstances to prevent serious acts of terrorism.

MARCOS

• MARCOS (formerly known as Marine Commando Force (MCF)) is an Indian Navy elite special operations force. Amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, personnel recovery, asymmetric warfare and counterproliferation are all examples of special operations. The MCF is designed, trained and equipped specifically for conducting special missions in a maritime setting.
• Over the two decades of its existence, the unit has gained experience and a reputation for professionalism. It has become one of the world’s best Special Forces groups and one of the few capable of jumping into the ocean with a full combat load.
• The primary responsibilities of MARCOS are:

1. To conduct covert strikes inside enemy territory on hostile ships, offshore installations and other critical assets.
2. To assist amphibious operations, such as pre-assault operations.
3. To fight in unexpected ways.
4. To carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of military activities.
5. To conduct covert scuba diving operations.
6. To carry out hostage rescue missions in a naval setting.
7. To prevent terrorism in maritime environments.

Para SF

• The Indian Army’s first special operations unit was established in 1966.
• The Parachute Regiment, composed of PARA (SF) and PARA (SF) Airborne battalions, is the Indian Army’s finest volunteer unit. Because of its specific mission, the regiment must maintain peak operational efficiency and physical fitness. 
• To successfully complete the assigned operations, the members of this unit must be relatively youthful, physically strong and mentally robust, intelligent, innovative and highly driven.
• The Parachute Regiment currently consists of nine special forces battalions, three special forces (airborne), two Territorial Army battalions, and one counter-insurgency (Rashtriya Rifles) battalion.

 Special Protection Group (SPG)

• The Special Protection Group, or SPG, was founded in 1988 and is a highly-trained unit that offers close protection to India’s VIPs. These VIPs include former Prime Ministers and their direct family members.
• There are four branches in the SPG, each with a distinct role:

1. a) Operations: It is in charge of the real protection tasks. Components of the Operations Branch include the Communications Wing, the Transport Wing and the Technical Wing.
2. b) Training: This category includes personnel training in physical efficiency, firing, anti-sabotage checks, communication and other operational features.
3. c) Intelligence and Tours: It is responsible for threat assessment, internal intelligence regarding personnel, character and antecedent verification, tours, and other related jobs.
4. d) Administration: This category is responsible for staff, procurement and other associated issues.

GARUD Commando Force

• The Garud Commando Force is the Indian Air Force’s special forces organisation. Founded in 2003, it has 1000-1500 trained personnel.
• It takes its name from Garuda, the celestial bird and mount of Hindu Lord Vishnu. The Air Force saw the necessity for a Special Forces unit to perform combat search and rescue (CSAR), counter-insurgency operations and emergency response to terrorist attacks on airfields. The Government of India authorised a crew of 1080 Special Operations Airmen in September 2003.
• The unit handles direct military action, special reconnaissance, rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory, building air bases in hostile zones and air traffic management of these airbases.
• The unit also directs the suppression of air defence and the destruction of other enemy assets such as radars. It evaluates the effects of Indian airstrikes and the use of laser designators to guide Indian airstrikes.

Conclusion

The Indian Armed Forces are consistently referred to as the finest and ranked among the world’s top armed forces. It is not just the acquisition of weapons and technology that produces a formidable military, but other variables play a role too. To be flawless, it must serve the nation in all events and circumstances, with the fewest demands and the most beneficial consequences. The Special Security Forces of India exemplify all these qualities. They help neutralise external attacks on our nation and continuously work to safeguard our country from internal threats.