Pakistan's Special Operations Forces: SSG | SSGN | SSW | SOW | SOG

[blain2]

SSG Expansion.

The idea is to have 3 brigades at full strength to have the divisional capacity in place as per the requirements of the Army for special operations roles. However the second brigade is under strength right now and due to ongoing operational tasking, it will be some time before the division has its entire complement of troops. However the good news is that the expansion plan is approved for raising the third brigade along with the TO&E for the division.

If I recall correctly, the work is ongoing to get the 6 battalions up and the Divisional troops will include the independent companies comprised of the ATT and Communications.

 

[blain2]

There is always a team deployed in KSA for advisory and emergency purposes, to deal with situations Saudi forces cannot. They are led by a Lt. Col. here. When the Grand Mosque in Makkah was under siege, Saudi forces failed and the posted SSG here was immediately moved to take control. Or even recently, to take control of bitter anti-government protests in Eastern region.

They are posted in Taif if I am right,

LH, The Saudis have their own special operations troops specially for these tasks. As it is, at the rate at which the SSG is being employed currently, PA does not have troops to spare for babysitting the Royals but more importantly, the Saudis have their own troops in this role.

The siege in Makkah also had very limited Pakistani contribution. The DA was asked to find out if the Saudis needed any assistance when this happened. The Saudis were in no mood to look weak and wanted to deliver a message that they were not going to tolerate such things and this message was delivered through the use of massive brute force for which they had ample troops and armour in place.

Also, Pakistan and especially the PA will never allow the SSG troops, or for that matter any Pakistani troops, to be used to put down anti-government protests anywhere else outside of Pakistan. This does not happen in Pakistan, absolutely zero chance of this happening anywhere else regardless of what the Saudis may want to offer.

During the Iraq war, the GoP under NS wanted Pakistani troops to be deployed in possible combat roles along the KSA/Iraq border, the Army would have none of it.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

There is always a team deployed in KSA for advisory and emergency purposes, to deal with situations Saudi forces cannot. They are led by a Lt. Col. here. When the Grand Mosque in Makkah was under siege, Saudi forces failed and the posted SSG here was immediately moved to take control. Or even recently, to take control of bitter anti-government protests in Eastern region.

They are posted in Taif if I am right,

French GIGN commandos also participated in that operation.

Not accurate any more. Saudis have their own special operations troops specially for these tasks. As it is, at the rate at which the SSG is being employed currently, PA does not have troops to spare for babysitting the Royals but more importantly, the Saudis have their own troops in this role.

The siege in Makkah also had very limited Pakistani contribution. The DA was asked to offer any or all assistance to the Saudis when this happened. The Saudis were in no mood to look weak and wanted to deliver a message and it was done through the use of massive brute force for which they had ample troops and armour in place.

Also, Pakistan and especially the PA will never allow the SSG troops, or for that matter any Pakistani troops, to be used to put down anti-government protests anywhere else outside of Pakistan. This does not happen in Pakistan, absolutely zero chance of this happening anywhere else regardless of what the Saudis may want to offer.

A lot of the heavy work was done by the French GIGN.

 

[blain2]

Why were Army Brigades there even on a rotational basis ?

This was in Gen Zia ul Haq's times. He was close to Saudis, the latter were promising to fund the expense and pay for the wear and tear of maintaining troops/equipment, so it was considered goodwill on the part of Pakistan towards the Saudis and as such it was done. The Pakistani brigades essentially provided advisory value to the Saudi National Guard/Army. The key reason was the Iran-Iraq war and the Saudi threat perception concerning Iran. Thus the request to have Pakistani formations present.

 

[blain2]

on the contrary

quite a few SSG personal are based in saudi arabia.
starting with the mountain warfare school in Khamis Mushayt, that was established by and is being run by SSG personal, to date. (i know a couple in person).
to the saudi academy in which some offciers are stationed as instructors.
and so on and so forth

all in all quite a few ssg personal are stationed in saudi arabia in different capacities.

A clear distinction has to be made here. SSG sends people on deputation but in advisory capacity. This is in clear contrast to SSG troops being sent to defend the Saudis. We will train troops, carry out FID training, set up Special Operations schools, but don't send SF troops in combat capacity.

 

[Last Hope]

Yes the French had their role, greater than the SSG's, but in the end it was the SSG's Colonel's idea that was executed.

There are Infantry and Air Force personnel posted here for training as well serving purposes (AMC) in excessive numbers. The SSG deployed here not only train the special forces but act as advisers in tense situations and have participated in several missions too (although as you say their role may be limited).

 

[Armstrong]

SSG Expansion.

The idea is to have 3 brigades at full strength to have the divisional capacity in place as per the requirements of the Army for special operations roles. However the second brigade is under strength right now and due to ongoing operational tasking, it will be some time before the division has its entire complement of troops. However the good news is that the expansion plan is approved for raising the third brigade along with the TO&E for the division.

If I recall correctly, the work is ongoing to get the 6 battalions up and the Divisional troops will include the independent companies comprised of the ATT and Communications.

Dude why didn't we, throughout the course of the past 10 years, inculcate significant Counter-Insurgency capabilities in our Paramilitary Forces so that they could handle our domestic enemies well enough with the Army providing the occasional input or Air-Support instead of being deployed the way we are !

 

[Rafi]

Dude why didn't we, throughout the course of the past 10 years, inculcate significant Counter-Insurgency capabilities in our Paramilitary Forces so that they could handle our domestic enemies well enough with the Army providing the occasional input or Air-Support instead of being deployed the way we are !

Main element of counter terrorist forces are the police and other law enforcement agencies, there purview falls on the civilian govt and we have all seen how effective it has been.

There is a need for all the stakeholders in the country to come together and come up with a comprehensive counter insurgency and counter terrorist strategy.

 

[Jango]

French GIGN commandos also participated in that operation.



A lot of the heavy work was done by the French GIGN.

In an advisory role...they weren't allowed to enter Makkah AFAIK.

 

[A.Rafay]

Sorry if posted before.

 

[COOKie LOOkie....]

well its quite impressive to see our infantry units in such gears...

 

[S-A-B-E-R->]

Sorry if posted before.

second guy frm the rite in ghili ..is that a g3 with scope or PSR1??

 

[Argus Panoptes]

In an advisory role...they weren't allowed to enter Makkah AFAIK.

Actually, they led the attack in clearing the actual masjid, after they were declared "Muslim" by reciting the kalima.

Yes the French had their role, greater than the SSG's, but in the end it was the SSG's Colonel's idea that was executed.

There are Infantry and Air Force personnel posted here for training as well serving purposes (AMC) in excessive numbers. The SSG deployed here not only train the special forces but act as advisers in tense situations and have participated in several missions too (although as you say their role may be limited).

The actual clearance operation was planned and executed by the French, Sir.

 

[Jango]

Actually, they led the attack in clearing the actual masjid, after they were declared "Muslim" by reciting the kalima.

Any links...? First time I heard this.

AFAIK, there were only 3 GIGN operatives and all were sitting outside Makkah in a camp in a advisory and overwatch role.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Any links...? First time I heard this.

AFAIK, there were only 3 GIGN operatives and all were sitting outside Makkah in a camp in a advisory and overwatch role.

Well, you may just have to take my word for it. Those details are not referenced in public sources.