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Dressed for action: The striking variety of uniforms special forces don

Mujraparty

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The forces guarding its frontiers from both the internal and external threats change appearance depending on the lurking danger.

If the mammoth rail network of the country needs a special Railway Protection Force (RPF), the vast land borders are guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF), Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP).

The internal law and order issues are dealt by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF).

article-2326714-19DBF731000005DC-893_646x530.jpg

The camouflage pattern of the army's commandos and infantry troops posted in desert have lighter tones to merge with the environment; high altitude and jungle operations need darker shades.

The industrial hubs, which are the nation's economic assets, are guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The Prime Minister has his own army of protectors in Special Protection Group (SPG).

The new threats posed by terrorists require specialised forces and India has no dearth of them.
The National Security Guard (NSG) is the premier agency responsible for taking on terrorists but Indian Air Force, Army and Navy have their own expertise in dealing with such threats.

The commandos not only have fearsome looks but also known by fearful names.

From Garuds of IAF to Cobras of Central Reserve Police Force and Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh police, all specialise in carrying out tasks in extreme conditions.

The navy's Marcos and the army's para commandos form the cream of the special forces.

Since special tasks require equally specialised attire and equipment, the Indian army's camouflage clothing, an integral part of the art of deception, has been adopted by the other forces as well.

The army soldier's use a patterns that blends with the environment they operate making them merge to escape easy detection even by modern day technological innovation like night vision devices.

The clothing also provides protection against detection by devices like infrared and night vision devices.

The army has made it a point to ensure that their camouflage looks different from the ones worn by para military forces to avoid confusions in areas where different units operate.

The army works in coordination with other forces particularly in anti-insurgency operations Jammu and Kashmir and also in the Northeast.

Special Protection Group

THE Special Protection Group (SPG) is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister.
They appear in trade mark safari suits in summer but on special occasions, the SPY commandos guard the area sporting guns in the open.

The SPY not only guards the Prime Minister but also families of the senior-most executives


article-2326714-19DBF6BF000005DC-746_642x955.jpg

Even former prime ministers and their families are protected by SPY which was formed in 1985, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi



Garud Commando Force

The Indian Air Force raised its commando force in 2004 for tasks such as rapid response to a terror strike on air bases.

The Garuds not only protect IAF bases from attacks like the one in Srinagar in 2001, but are also trained to operate behind enemy lines in the event of a war.

They wear black berets, unlike the brown ones sported by army's Special Forces. They also can be spotted wearing a boonie hat. The Garuds are now a part of IAF's exercises like Iron Fist and Live Wire; they carry Israeli Tavor assault rifles.
article-2326714-19DBF6F5000005DC-486_328x679.jpg


Marcos

An elite special operation unit strictly kept out of the public eye by the Navy, the Marcos are capable of carrying operations in all the three domains - air, sea and land – though maritime missions are their specialisation.

The new look of the naval commandos was seen only recently where their outfit looked a lot like that of the US marines.

They were the first specialised force to take on terrorists at Taj during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The new uniform is being experimented with, according to officials.

article-2326714-19DBF761000005DC-159_312x679.jpg



National Security Guard

The NSG is the country's premier counter-terrorism outfit working under the union ministry of home affairs.

It guards against the challenges posed by terrorists to internal security such as the one witnessed in Mumbai on 26/11.

The other mandate for the NSG is the protection of VIPs, hostage rescue, anti-hijacking and bomb disposal missions.


article-2326714-19DBF7C5000005DC-585_642x646.jpg

National Security Guard commandos carry a range of equipment - this is dependent on the task at hand


The force draws heavily from the army but has personnel from other forces as well. Better known as the 'Black Cats', the black overalls of its commandos makes them look distinct from other forces of the country.

NSG commandos battled terrorists on 26/11 for over three days before eliminating them. Regional NSG hubs have come up in major metropolitans after the Mumbai attacks in order to ensure a good response time.

These commandos carry a range of equipment – this is dependent on the task at hand.


ITPB

article-2326714-19DBF74C000005DC-796_638x498.jpg
The ITPB commando unit is used in mountainous regions securing the border outposts and also for patrolling duties in on the Indo-China border



The Commandos of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police were responsible for guarding Mumbai 26\11 attack perpetrator Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab when he was in jail in Mumbai. They are also responsible for guarding the high security cells in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

CISF

article-2326714-19DC2690000005DC-539_644x784.jpg


CRPF

article-2326714-19DC232E000005DC-232_638x392.jpg


Read more: Dressed for action: Have a look at the different outfits special forces don to protect India by land, sea and air | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
 
Ah! You found 'Bigfoot' at last!! :woot: :omghaha:


(P.S. For those who are unaware of what Bigfoot is:
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is the name given to an ape-like creature that some people believe inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid).
 
Ehhhhhmmmmmm

CISF, SPG and ITBP are not special forces!!!

Just because some dumbtard puts a "commando" batch on their shoulders, it does not mean that they are SFs.

And the pic showing a MARCO is actually showing a SPB soldier, while the pic showing COBRA troopers is showing regular CISF personal!
 
The forces guarding its frontiers from both the internal and external threats change appearance depending on the lurking danger.

If the mammoth rail network of the country needs a special Railway Protection Force (RPF), the vast land borders are guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF), Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP).

The internal law and order issues are dealt by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF).

article-2326714-19DBF731000005DC-893_646x530.jpg

The camouflage pattern of the army's commandos and infantry troops posted in desert have lighter tones to merge with the environment; high altitude and jungle operations need darker shades.

The industrial hubs, which are the nation's economic assets, are guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The Prime Minister has his own army of protectors in Special Protection Group (SPG).

The new threats posed by terrorists require specialised forces and India has no dearth of them.
The National Security Guard (NSG) is the premier agency responsible for taking on terrorists but Indian Air Force, Army and Navy have their own expertise in dealing with such threats.

The commandos not only have fearsome looks but also known by fearful names.

From Garuds of IAF to Cobras of Central Reserve Police Force and Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh police, all specialise in carrying out tasks in extreme conditions.

The navy's Marcos and the army's para commandos form the cream of the special forces.

Since special tasks require equally specialised attire and equipment, the Indian army's camouflage clothing, an integral part of the art of deception, has been adopted by the other forces as well.

The army soldier's use a patterns that blends with the environment they operate making them merge to escape easy detection even by modern day technological innovation like night vision devices.

The clothing also provides protection against detection by devices like infrared and night vision devices.

The army has made it a point to ensure that their camouflage looks different from the ones worn by para military forces to avoid confusions in areas where different units operate.

The army works in coordination with other forces particularly in anti-insurgency operations Jammu and Kashmir and also in the Northeast.

Special Protection Group

THE Special Protection Group (SPG) is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister.
They appear in trade mark safari suits in summer but on special occasions, the SPY commandos guard the area sporting guns in the open.

The SPY not only guards the Prime Minister but also families of the senior-most executives


Even former prime ministers and their families are protected by SPY which was formed in 1985, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi



Garud Commando Force

The Indian Air Force raised its commando force in 2004 for tasks such as rapid response to a terror strike on air bases.

The Garuds not only protect IAF bases from attacks like the one in Srinagar in 2001, but are also trained to operate behind enemy lines in the event of a war.

They wear black berets, unlike the brown ones sported by army's Special Forces. They also can be spotted wearing a boonie hat. The Garuds are now a part of IAF's exercises like Iron Fist and Live Wire; they carry Israeli Tavor assault rifles.
article-2326714-19DBF6F5000005DC-486_328x679.jpg


Marcos

An elite special operation unit strictly kept out of the public eye by the Navy, the Marcos are capable of carrying operations in all the three domains - air, sea and land – though maritime missions are their specialisation.

The new look of the naval commandos was seen only recently where their outfit looked a lot like that of the US marines.

They were the first specialised force to take on terrorists at Taj during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The new uniform is being experimented with, according to officials.

article-2326714-19DBF761000005DC-159_312x679.jpg



National Security Guard

The NSG is the country's premier counter-terrorism outfit working under the union ministry of home affairs.

It guards against the challenges posed by terrorists to internal security such as the one witnessed in Mumbai on 26/11.

The other mandate for the NSG is the protection of VIPs, hostage rescue, anti-hijacking and bomb disposal missions.


article-2326714-19DBF7C5000005DC-585_642x646.jpg

National Security Guard commandos carry a range of equipment - this is dependent on the task at hand


The force draws heavily from the army but has personnel from other forces as well. Better known as the 'Black Cats', the black overalls of its commandos makes them look distinct from other forces of the country.

NSG commandos battled terrorists on 26/11 for over three days before eliminating them. Regional NSG hubs have come up in major metropolitans after the Mumbai attacks in order to ensure a good response time.

These commandos carry a range of equipment – this is dependent on the task at hand.


ITPB

article-2326714-19DBF74C000005DC-796_638x498.jpg
The ITPB commando unit is used in mountainous regions securing the border outposts and also for patrolling duties in on the Indo-China border



The Commandos of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police were responsible for guarding Mumbai 26\11 attack perpetrator Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab when he was in jail in Mumbai. They are also responsible for guarding the high security cells in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

CISF

article-2326714-19DC2690000005DC-539_644x784.jpg


CRPF

article-2326714-19DC232E000005DC-232_638x392.jpg


Read more: Dressed for action: Have a look at the different outfits special forces don to protect India by land, sea and air | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


As @Koovie has said- the CISF,ITBP, CRPF, NSG and Greyhounds are in no way SF and don't even claim to be themselves.


The level of defence reporting in India is hilariously and tragically abysmal. It seems they are more than happy to pump out whatever drivel they like based on nothing more than preconceived notions and assumptions drawn from Bolloywood films! Most of the time it is clear they haven't even used a basic resource like Wikipedia or bothered to proof read what they have just written:

THE Special Protection Group (SPG) is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister.
They appear in trade mark safari suits in summer but on special occasions, the SPY commandos guard the area sporting guns in the open.


Pray tell me, what is a "SPY" commando??!!



And this is wrong:

They wear black berets, unlike the brown ones sported by army's Special Forces.

Garuds have worn the MAROON beret (not "brown" retard) like the PARAs and MARCOs for at least 5 years now.


It would be funny if it wasn't so dangerous- if this is the level of competency on the most basic of subjects/articles then one can only shudder at the thought of the BS these guys print/say on the big news stories that actually have a real impact and significance. The fact that many Indians rely on these fools for their news is horrifying.




Having said all that, the article was worth it just for this pic:


article-2326714-19DBF6BF000005DC-746_642x955.jpg



Not seen it before!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ah! You found 'Bigfoot' at last!! :woot: :omghaha:


(P.S. For those who are unaware of what Bigfoot is:
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is the name given to an ape-like creature that some people believe inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid).


And since when did Bigfoot began to carry Dragunov Sniper rifles?
 
Is there any plan/initiative to shift completely to digital camouflage, infantry and special forces alike?
 
Is there any plan/initiative to shift completely to digital camouflage, infantry and special forces alike?

As of now, not. Some units like Navy units and central police force units use it.

But maybe we can see it implemented in the F-INSAS project?

Who knows...

The Navy is in the process of doing so for their SFs and marine infantry (SPB), the CRPF and certain other CAPFs have done so for select units.


AFAIK the IA is set to test 3 different digi-cam patterns starting mid-2014 alongside F-INSAS which is set to be trailed at an infantry btn level at around the same time. The digi-cams will go up against one another and the existing IA standard camo.


It is not a foregone conclusion the IA will be getting digicam anytime soon- it depends on the outcome if next year's trails.
 
As of now, not. Some units like Navy units and central police force units use it.

But maybe we can see it implemented in the F-INSAS project?

Who knows...

The Navy is in the process of doing so for their SFs and marine infantry (SPB), the CRPF and certain other CAPFs have done so for select units.


AFAIK the IA is set to test 3 different digi-cam patterns starting mid-2014 alongside F-INSAS which is set to be trailed at an infantry btn level at around the same time. The digi-cams will go up against one another and the existing IA standard camo.


It is not a foregone conclusion the IA will be getting digicam anytime soon- it depends on the outcome if next year's trails.

So the consensus is that it may or may not happen with F-INSAS, and if it does it either gets pitted against traditional camouflaging or it gets inducted in select units (as with other branches of the armed forces). It would be interesting to see the different sets of camouflaging used (if ever) in Indian urban, jungle, desert and high altitude environments (urban especially). Moreover it seems that this sort of camouflaging is becoming the norm quickly around the world.
 
So the consensus is that it may or may not happen with F-INSAS, and if it does it either gets pitted against traditional camouflaging or it gets inducted in select units (as with other branches of the armed forces). It would be interesting to see the different sets of camouflaging used (if ever) in Indian urban, jungle, desert and high altitude environments (urban especially). Moreover it seems that this sort of camouflaging is becoming the norm quickly around the world.
As it stands the IA very much is interested in a digicam and if they perform well in the comparative trials next year then one of them (digicams) will enter full scale IA service within the next few years. However if the camos don't perform and of is not seen as worthwhile to make the switch then the IA will continue using their current camo and launch a seperate camo search in 4-6 years.

I do not see a situation where the IA issues certain camos to certain units (keeping SFs out of the picture) the IA is hunting for a universal camo for every one of its service personal.


I agree though that the IA needs to adopt a family of camos ie one for mountain/snow (white), one for jungle (green/woodland) and one for desert (tan/sand) digicam or no digicam. Seeing IA soldiers operating in deserts in Jungle camo is beyond absurd.
 

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