Military Journey Of A 9 PARA SF Commando | #100_days_challenge

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 fifteen 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 fifteen Special Forces, two Territorial Army, and one Counter-Insurgency (Rashtriya Rifles) battalion in its fold. Due to the absence of 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 special organization, 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) operates in assault teams, which work individually behind enemy lines. The total strengh of the regiment stands at about 8,000-10,000 this includes one Rashtriya Rifles and two Territorial Army battalion personnel, while the Para (SF) includes between 5,000-6,000 personnel or maybe more currently, as some articles suggest there may be about 600-700 men per battalion and there are now 15 battalions of special forces. They have to hide their identity from the 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, MARCOS, Garud Commando Force. Currently the Para Special Forces consists of 15 battalions:

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) – Unknown
6 PARA (SF) - Unknown
7 PARA (SF) - Unknown
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
12 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT
13 PARA (SF) – Unknown
21 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT[40]
23 PARA (SF) - Unknown
29 PARA (SF) – Unknown


Functions
Intelligence gathering and special reconnaissance
Sabotage of vital enemy infrastructure and communications through deep penetration and surgical strikes behind enemy lines.
Covert and overt/direct action special operations as part of the Indian Army's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
Hostage rescue operations within and beyond Indian territory.
The unit is tasked with missions such as special operations, direct action, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defence, counter-proliferation, counter-insurgency, seek and destroy, and personnel recovery.

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