Indian Special Forces

[mkb95]

para sf

K9 Unit of NSG

 

[hkdas]

K9 Unit of NSG

bro, that is CRPF's dog during inauguration of CRPF's Dog breeding and training school in 2011

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[Tshering22]

@Abingdonboy @Tshering22
This is where my beef is. I do not doubt the professionalism of our troops but what happened to uniform camouflages? One wearing grey, one green... They look like militias / rebels TBH. It would be easy to pick out any of these by an enemy sniper. Tshering - your opinion please.

There are times when paras and other special units have to not look too visible to a crowd. Since J&K are a sensitive zone this further makes sense.

Additionally, there is some gripe with the uniform issuing authority in the military which means that at times soldiers get their own stitched with permission. So there is a slight variation.

Camouflage pattern in Indian military is not to blend in but rather to let the others know that they are there.

Confusing as it defeats the purpose.

Which is why you see majority troops stationed in Rajasthan as well as Garwal dressed in Woodland camo which is clearly visible in these terrains.

Pathankot Attack: Commando Who Took 4 Bullets Is Raring To Go Again


AMBALA: Corporal Shailabh Gaur cannot wait to join his unit again. A member of the Indian Air Force's elite commando unit, Garud, he is recovering from surgery because he took four bullets in the abdomen during a gunbattle with terrorists at the Pathankot Air Base on January 2.

Corporal Gaur says Hollywood movies like Commando and Rambo inspired him in school. With three generations of the family in the defence forces, he says, the choice of career was obvious: He joined the Air Force in 2010 and emerged as the best all-rounder during training that landed him in the elite unit. A commando's life is hard but the first real test came four years later.


His unit was flown from Adampur to Pathankot on January 1. The men were split into different groups and tasked with patrolling the air base. "It was around 3.30 am when we were asked to look around the vehicle maintenance area and clear the area," he recounts.

"We spotted a trail which led us inside the area, terrorists hiding there began firing as the platoon took positions," he recalls. In the gun battle, Corporal Gursewak Singh was shot and fell to the ground.

Then, Corporal Gaur felt something piercing his abdomen. He thought it was just a sliver of wood because there was a loud explosion at the same time. "Gursewak was a close friend, we had joined the Air Force together and we were buddies," he says.

The terrorists were firing at the commandoes from their Kalashnikovs. "They used lob grenades while reloading. Mortars were also fired at us. Thankfully, they didn't explode," he says. The commandos, though, could not use heavy weapons for the fear of collateral damage. The terrorists were out to destroy assets and the commandoes' brief was to secure the technical area where fighter jets and radars were.

It was only after the terrorists moved to a different location that Corporal Gaur could attend to his injuries. By then it was nearly 5 am. He had been fighting terrorists for over an hour.

At the Pathankot military hospital, four bullets and splinter pieces were removed from his body. Doctors were surprised that he had survived all that while because there was three litres of blood in the abdominal cavity due to internal bleeding.

But six weeks later, Corporal Gaur has almost recovered. He expects to return to his unit after a fitness test next week.

View attachment 293558 View attachment 293559 View attachment 293560 View attachment 293561

So happy to see him back in health!

 

[Abingdonboy]

The good thing about Pathankot attack is that the top leadership decided that the best SF unit should protect the fighters and radars and hence the 1st Para SF was protecting the assets.

Garud and NSG along with Ghatak/QRT were on the hunting.

It was a stupid decision to include NSG in the operation as a aggressor unit inside a military installment.Para or the Ghataks could have done that and have done that many times.

Similar operation on a Army camp in Jammu and Srinagar were taken care of in 2004 and 1999 by the Ghataks.

Garuds fought well and will only learn from this operation.

IA, IAF cheifs and NSA were the ones who greenlit the NSG's deployment. The ovveriding reason was the risk of a hostage situation for which the NSG was the logical choice. The NSG performed fine, why are we still dicussing this?

 

[hkdas]

NSG withdraws 600 commandos from VVIP duties for counter-terror operations

According to the new blueprint being worked upon by the elite force, two teams out of the total three of the 11th Special Rangers Group (SRG), stand withdrawn from VVIP security duties and have been tasked to undertake counter-terror operations along with and in assistance of the primary strike units-- the Special Action Group (SAG).

Taking the first step towards gradually reverting to its original role of undertaking counter-terror operations, the NSG has pulled out over 600 commandos from its VVIP security unit and used them for the first time during the recent Pathankot attack.

The plan has been in the making since the last over two years and the terrorist attack on the forward IAF base in Pathankot became the first operation where these black cat commandos made their assault.


According to the new blueprint being worked upon by the elite force, two teams out of the total three of the 11th Special Rangers Group (SRG), stand withdrawn from VVIP security duties and have been tasked to undertake counter-terror operations along with and in assistance of the primary strike units-- the Special Action Group (SAG).

National Security Guard (NSG) commando teams are raised under five primary units, two SAGs manned by officers and jawans from the Army and three SRGs comprising personnel from paramilitary forces.

While each of the two SAGs (51 and 52) are tasked with counter-terror, counter-hijack and hostage rescue operations, the SRGs (11, 12 and 13) were used to render logistical support to the SAGs during such operations and have been primarily deployed for guarding high-risk VVIPs for many years now.

Each SRG has three teams, with over 300 commandos each, and the estimated strength of an entire unit is about 1,000 personnel.

Officials said the Pathankot operation was the first time that the unit was inducted into a full-scale anti-terror operation and select commandos were deployed to undertake door-to-door sanitisation of numerous buildings at the Indian Air Force station that was attacked in the wee hours of January 2.

NSG commanders said the force, which was raised in 1984 for exclusive counter-terror operations but later entrusted with VVIP security duties, has the least number of 15 such protectees under its cover and, after its request to not burden it further in this regard, the government has not given it any additional responsibility in this domain for over two years now.

While one team of the 11th SRG and two units (12 and 13) are still tasked with the security of high-risk dignitaries, commanders of the special federal contingency force foresee a time when even these units will be gradually pulled out of VVIP protection duties.

"Not in the very near future but NSG is on it way to go back to its original charter of being a specialist counter-terror and an exclusive commando force. The last team of the said SRG will also be pulled out sooner than later and prepared for terrorist combat roles," they said.

They said the results of the first experiment at Pathankot have been satisfactory even as these units have been subjected to rigours undertaken by the strike units comprising personnel drawn from the army, with each of its commandos undertaking precision firing, unarmed combat and special tactics course every day of the year.

The plan was mooted in 2012 when NSG commanders, keeping in mind the evolving terrorist attacks scenario across the globe, visualised an event where simultaneous assaults could be launched by them at multiple centres in the country and hence a good number of combat-ready commandos will have to be rushed in different directions.

While the 2008 Mumbai terror attack involved about 400 commandos over a period of three days, over 300 NSG men were deployed for the Pathankot operation that was officially called off in five days.

In what has come as a help, the government has also not given any additional duty in the VVIP security domain and assigned that task to central paramilitary forces like CRPF, CISF and ITBP.

The force's charter states that the primary role of NSG is "to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions and the state police and other central police forces cannot cope up with the situation.

"The NSG is a force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore to be used only in exceptional situations. The force is not designed to undertake the functions of state police forces or other paramilitary forces of the Union of India," it says.

The force is modelled on the pattern of foreign special forces like SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany but has now included the best practises of a few other such elite forces over the years.


NSG withdraws 600 commandos from VVIP duties for counter-terror operations | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

gov. is talking about this since 2008...

 

[hkdas]

marcos(east)..

 

[Abingdonboy]

gov. is talking about this since 2008...

It can't be done overnight as the NSG is protecting a number of high risk personalities BUT they are actively being drawn down. Under the UPA the NSG was protecting >20 VVIPs and was 15 last year, now the number is 11 and the GoI has stated no new VVIPs will ever get NSG protection from here on (hopefully this isn't changed if the Congress ever get into power).

So eventually the NSG will be completly removed from this task but it will be a few more years (perhaps 5) before the VVIPs it currently protects aren't eligable anymore.

Long term the SRG needs to be wound down to just 1 unit that can be a support entity to the SAG.

The priortiy has to be getting rid of the waste in the NSG (SRG) and modernising the SAG to be one of the best equipped forces in the world- the bar should be set this high, some peicemeal equipment upgrades are not going to cut it.

NSG has no authority to operate inside Military bases.I hope you know NSG comes under MHA and not under MOD.There was no hostage situation.Such situations have been taken care of by Ghataks and PARA SF.I know trusting Garuds was too much but so was calling NSG and top ranking military Generals have also said this.

No authority? What do you think this is, Pakistan? The NSG was sent to Pathankot by the GoI on the authority of the NSA, of course they are able to work anywhere in the country- military bases are still part of India are they not?

As for critics, they have all been retired IA generals with their vested interests, the serving IA generals have rubbished all their nonsense and the COAS was himself involved in the decsion to send the NSG. It's a closed chapter, now dissecting it to death isn't going to change anything.

 

[hkdas]

NSG has no authority to operate inside Military bases.I hope you know NSG comes under MHA and not under MOD.There was no hostage situation.Such situations have been taken care of by Ghataks and PARA SF.I know trusting Garuds was too much but so was calling NSG and top ranking military Generals have also said this.

no bro...
NSG can operate anywhere in india... doesn't matter if it is a military base or a 7 star hotel. NSG was called in because there was a chance for occurring a hostage situation as there are 3000 families inside the air base. calling NSG after the attack developed into a hostage situation is not a wise choice. MHA, NSA and PM don't want to take risk, so they call in specialized units. there is no question of why NSG was deployed, why not army was deployed... all are fighting for the country. be it special forces of army, marcos of navy, garuds of air force or NSG they are all fighting for the county.. why should we take an unnecessary risk just because of ego??

It can't be done overnight as the NSG is protecting a number of high risk personalities BUT they are actively being drawn down. Under the UPA the NSG was protecting >20 VVIPs and was 15 last year, now the number is 11 and the GoI has stated no new VVIPs will ever get NSG protection from here on (hopefully this isn't changed if the Congress ever get into power).

So eventually the NSG will be completly removed from this task but it will be a few more years (perhaps 5) before the VVIPs it currently protects aren't eligable anymore.

Long term the SRG needs to be wound down to just 1 unit that can be a support entity to the SAG.

The priortiy has to be getting rid of the waste in the NSG (SRG) and modernising the SAG to be one of the best equipped forces in the world- the bar should be set this high, some peicemeal equipment upgrades are not going to cut it.

which political leader(except ruling party in central) need NSG security?? mayawati, jayalalitha, and many other won't have any problem even if their complete security is withdrawn.

 

[Abingdonboy]

which political leader(except ruling party in central) need NSG security?? mayawati, jayalalitha, and many other won't have any problem even if their complete security is withdrawn.

Neither will I but this is India, these politicans will cry foul and play the "victim" card won't they? Obviously no one needs NSG protection in India, other central forces are being used now to provide this cover- even the NSA has CRPF cover. As time goes by the NSG's protecee list will contract and hopefully will be 0 sooner rather than later.

Whilst we are at it, the Gandhis should also have their SPG cover withdrawn, they can have Z/Y protection if there is a threat to their lives but no more SPG cover.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Retired IA Generals have vested interests and who are you then..What are your qualifications to rubbish their opinion?

Vested in the sense that they will always see it from the IA's point of view and always say the IA can do anything. I do not blame them for their view that has been built up asa result of their decades of service in the IA and loyalty to their force.

But the serving IA was involved in the decsion to move the NSG in and supported it:

Pathankot attack: Army defends NSG deployment at airbase | The Indian Express

Deployment of NSG a joint decision, says Army: How security forces reclaimed Pathankot - Firstpost

Having a Central Home Affair force inside the defence establishment like an airbase gives a bad image about the capability of the SOFs of the AF and Army.

That's your opinion but I don't see it like that. Military bases are part of India, they are thus just as likely to have the NSG deployed as anywhere else. The arbitary designation of the peice of land the operation is being conducted on should not change the force that is used- it is the mission that should and DOES dictate such.

You may not know but in J&K only the Ghataks and PARA SF conduct anti hostage operations.

How would it be if the Army called NSG in Uri?And as far as i know Garuds are qualified for CT and Para Sf for anti hostage situations.

There were thousands of families and civlians on the base that the GoI feared could be taken hostage hence why the NSG was sent in. They are the country's foremost HR unit perfectly hones, trained and equipped for this task- it is their primary mandate. The PARA (SF) may be be trained in it but it is a secondary capability, the NSG are far more prepared to handle such situations. This is the purpose of having specilised units.

The idea of Ghataks being involved is farcal when you have SF teams from the IAF/IA and NSG to hand and advanced knowledge. Ghataks are good at what they do but they are't SFs and having them take point on this would be a joke and not what they are meant for at all.


This is all a storm in a teacup. The mission was a success, the NSG did a fine job as did all forces involved- PARA (SF), infantry, Garuds and even a few DSC.

 

[hkdas]

Whilst we are at it, the Gandhis should also have their SPG cover withdrawn, they can have Z/Y protection if there is a threat to their lives but no more SPG cover.

actually this what i don't understand.... SPG protection is for PM, former PM and his close relative.. then how did ghandi family got SPG protection?? who are they actually?? they are just MPs.. sonia is congress party secretry. how did she get SPG pretection?? and vadeera... how the hell he get it?? who is he?? a brother-in-law/son-in-law of two MPs,,,

 

[Abingdonboy]

actually this what i don't understand.... SPG protection is for PM, former PM and his close relative.. then how did ghandi family got SPG protection?? who are they actually?? they are just MPs.. sonia is congress party secretry. how did she get SPG pretection?? and vadeera... how the hell he get it?? who is he?? a brother-in-law/son-in-law of two MPs,,,

a) to clarify a common misconception- Vadra actually does not, and never has, get SPG protection. It is only his wife that does.
b) the reason why the Gandhis get SPG protection is that the orginal SPG act was ammended, after Rajiv Gandhi's death, to cover former PMs and their immediate. This is subject to an annual (or semi-annual) review as such they continue to be covered by the SPG. However it has been >20 years now and it doesn't seem like they will be losing it anytime soon(not will they be voluntarily giving it up like MMS's children)- at great cost to the taxpayer. Naturally, it is now a poltical issue, under the UPA they weren't ever going to lose it and now if the NDA does it they will play the "victim" card. At most they should have Z/Y protection (as there may be some threats to them) and cover from CAPFs or their local police but not the SPG.

 

[hkdas]

Vadra actually does not, and never has, get SPG protection. It is only his wife that does.

Vadra under SPG protection..

 

[Abingdonboy]

Vadra under SPG protection..

Not SPG, his personal (private) security staff- many of whom model themselves on the SPG these days and hence the SPG-esque "safari suits". He only gets SPG cover when he travels with a Gandhi (like his wife). He may also get some police cover but 100% he is not covered by SPG.


+see the second pic, when have you ever seen a member of the SPG in a white safari suit?


++ @hkdas look at Vadra's security-no security passes, no earpecies- both mandatory items for the SPG:

 

[Kyeld]

Hey guys, I just bought this Palm Frond coverall made in 1990, would anyone be able to tell me what units (I'm guessing paratroopers) were issued this? If anyone has any pictures of this Palm Frond colorway in use, I would be very interested in seeing them.