PARA SF vs Ghatak commando - INDIAN ARMY Commandos

PARA Commandos vs Ghatak commandos - INDIAN ARMY Commandos

A Ghatak Platoon, or Ghatak Commandos, is a special operations capable reconnaissance platoon that is present in every infantry battalion in the Indian Army.[2] Ghatak is a Sanskrit word meaning "killer" or "lethal". Their name was given to them by General Bipin Chandra Joshi. They act as shock troops and spearhead assaults ahead of the battalion

Role

Ghatak platoon commandos.
Their operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoons and STA platoons of the US Marine Corps, the Commando platoons of the British Army, Army Rangers of the US Army and the Commando Ranger Regiments of the Republic of Korea Army. They can be tasked by the battalion or brigade commander to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy artillery positions, airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters or other special operations at a tactical level. They are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within enemy lines

Unit composition
A Ghatak platoon is usually 20-men strong, consisting of a commanding Captain, 2 non-commissioned officers and some specialised soldiers like designated marksman, light machine gunners, medics and radio operators. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers. Officers and soldiers from combat support arms such as Engineers, Signals, Artillery, etc are also deputed for specialist roles during operations. [3][4]

Training
The most physically fit and motivated soldiers of all arms and services of the Indian Army either volunteer or are selected to be a part of the Ghatak platoon. Personnel attend training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka.[2] As a part of the training, the soldiers are evaluated through speed marches in battle gear ranging from 20 to 60 km, carrying their rifles and 20 kg of weight in their rucksacks. Depending on their role and parent unit, the successful individuals often undergo specialized training in demolition, close quarter battle, navigation, rock climbing and heliborne assault. Some operators are sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and the Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School as well.However, most of them are not parachute qualified. It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando Training Course

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 ten 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.

Para (SF) operate in assault teams, which work individually behind enemy lines, whereas the Paratroopers (Airborne) work in large teams and coordinate with other units as their role involves occupying large areas behind enemy lines. The total strength of the regiment stands at about 10,000, this includes five airborne infantry battalions, one Rashtriya Rifles and two Territorial Army battalion personnel, while the Para (SF) includes between 5,000 and 6,000 personnel. They have to hide their identity from 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,[35] MARCOS, Garud Commando Force. Currently the Para Special Forces consists of 12 battalions:[36][37]

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) – for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
6 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
7 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
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[38]
12 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT
13 PARA (SF) – Unknown
21 PARA (SF) – for jungle & mountain warfare and CI/CT[39]
23 PARA (SF) - for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT
29 PARA (SF) – for Air Assault, Airborne ops and CI/CT