Indian Special Forces (archived)

[12arya]

https://www.thestatesman.com/india/...ooper-will-make-you-emotional-1502661546.html

This letter to the baby of a martyred Indian Army paratrooper will make you emotional

An emotional letter addressed to the baby daughter of martyred Army paratrooper Mukut Bihari Meena is going viral on social media.

(Photo: Facebook/jitendrakumar.soni.146)

An emotional letter addressed to the baby daughter of martyred Army paratrooper Mukut Bihari Meena is going viral on social media. The letter, penned in Hindi by Jitendra Kumar Soni, District Magistrate of Jhalawar, Rajasthan, tells the baby girl, Aaru, of the heroic sacrifice of her soldier father and the outpouring of respect at his funeral.

Soni begins by writing that the sight of the baby girl touching the Tiranga on her father’s coffin and then lying down on it was a heart-wrenching sight.

“When you are a little older, you will understand that your father hailed from Larania, a small village of about 100 houses in Jhalawar’s Khanpur tehsil and that he laid down his life for the country during a search operation in Kashmir,” Soni wrote.

In the letter, the DM said that Meena had promised his family, including three sisters, that he will visit home on Raksha Bandhan attained martyrdom fulfilling an even deeper and stringent promise he had made to the nation.

“When you grow up, you will see from the photos and videos taken on the day of your father’s funeral that he has now become an integral part of the nation. Thousands of people marched with his final journey today. They raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ walking behind the martyr’s coffin wrapped tricolour,” wrote Soni adding that the entire sky reverberated with chants in praise of her father.

“Aaro, when you grow up, you will feel a sense of pride reading about the martyrs of the country. You may not be able to hold the hand of your martyr father, but you will get to hear the tales of your father’s martyrdom every day,” he wrote.

Soni wrote that martyrs are immortal.

Read the complete letter here:

(Photo: Facebook/jitendrakumar.soni.146)
The mortal remains of Meena were consigned to flames with full military honour in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Saturday.

Meena, a 3 para regiment jawan who used to work with 8 Rashtriya Rifles, was killed on 11 July during a gunfight with a militant group in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district.


#BraveIndianArmyJawan Hum Jeeyenge aur Marenge ae Watan tere liye! Last post sounded & Ptr Mukut Bihari Meena cremated with full military honours at his native village Ladania in Jhalawar distt of Rajasthan. pic.twitter.com/Qpn8FcVOU4

— PRO Defence Rajasthan (@PRODefRjsthn) July 14, 2018

The funeral was held at his village in Khanpur area with full military honours. Public representatives, officials from the Army, the district administration, the police and a large number of local people were present to pay homage to him.

 

[12arya]

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/strategic-strikes-vs-tactical-operations/614533.html

Strategic strikes vs tactical operations
Lt-Gen Raj Sujlana (retd)

Politicians only end up trivialising military operations, as in the case of surgical strikes. A real strategic strike deep inside Pakistan would be a hit on Masood.

Political mileage: Ruling politicians are chest-thumping the ‘surgical strikes’. PTI

The acerbity of the current political polemics over the surgical strikes is nothing new. Politicians have never tried to understand how the military operates and how and when to exploit a war or a war-like situation to their advantage and have thus repeatedly faltered. Be it the ceasefire and going to the UN against military advice during the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war, when success was so very visible; or the return of over 90,000 prisoners to Pakistan after the 1971 Indo-Pak war without getting back our prisoners; or in ensuring that the armed forces are always battle-ready in all aspects, disregard of which led to the disaster of the 1962 war. Sadly, they still do not realise that if this trend continues, despite the resilience of the soldiers, adversity can strike again. While war is the result of failed diplomacy, war-like internal situations come about when the politicians, bureaucracy and the police are incapable of controlling the situation, and it warrants the armed forces to step in, more often the Army. The responsibility of the conduct of war or operations in a disturbed area must be left to military commanders, who will plan and conduct operations as required by the situation.

Hype over surgical strikes
The hype created over 'surgical strikes', sees no end. While the ruling politicians haven't stopped chest-thumping since these operations were launched on the night of September 28-29, 2017, it is anathema for the opposition politicians, and their goatee has been pulled no end. The lead was taken by Manohar Parrikar, the then Raksha Mantri (RM), who stated that it was for the first time that the Army had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) after "Hanuman was invoked in them." He didn't even know that three Infantry regiments (Bihar, Kumaon and Rajput) had launched numerous such attacks with the war cry of 'Bajrang Bali Ki Jai!' In doing so, he set aside the stellar role the armed forces have played since 1947 in ensuring the integrity of the nation with diligence and blood.

Now, a union minister adds that the ruling party has drawn no political mileage from these operations and such statements by the opposition will raise the morale of the terrorists. On both counts, he is wrong. The open and blatant credit taken during the Uttar Pradesh state elections is no secret and one wonders how this will raise the morale of the terrorists.

Then, a Congress spokesperson has listed numerous such strikes carried out in the past, erroneously calling them 'strategic surgical strikes'. A wrong perception gets conveyed to the public. There is a need to put this matter in the correct perspective.

Raids, strikes & tactical ops
The Army has a list of terminologies to describe various operations, but there is no such term as surgical strikes. Borrowed from the US Air Force, it has become fashionable. Such operations have a very simple term: raid. These could be shallow, ie when the target is located over a short distance in enemy territory (numerous such actions have taken place, including the much talked of surgical strikes). Or, these could be deep ones when the objective lies in greater depth. An example of this is the raid by personnel of 9 Para Commandos during the night of December 13-14, 1971 when they infiltrated across the LoC and the Poonch river and took the enemy gun position by surprise. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy and all six 122-mm Chinese guns deployed destroyed, at the cost of our own: two killed and 14 wounded.

Such successful raids are tactical operations and not strategic in nature. Their effect is generally localised, whereas a strategic operation must influence the course of war.

For example, during World War II, as the Japanese thrust their way through Burma, a major operation was launched to strike the enemy in their rear areas. The Chindits, also known as Long Range Penetration Groups of special operational units of the Indian and British armies, were launched deep behind the Japanese lines. In the first phase (starting February 1943), 3000 soldiers penetrated on foot deep into Burma. Alongside, as a cover, a large-scale varied deception was planned and executed, as they cut their way to much success. In the second phase (from February, 1944 to August, 1944), 9000 men were aerially interjected behind the enemy lines in gliders and some on foot. These operations greatly assisted the ongoing ground thrusts to speed up the Japanese retreat and turned the tide of war in this theatre.

Two actions stand out as surgical strikes. The first is the raid at Entebbe (in Uganda) carried out by commandos of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on July 4, 1976. Hijackers had taken over an aircraft and flown it to Entebbe with 106 crew and passengers on board as hostages and were well ensconced with the open support of the Ugandan Army. Suddenly, 100 commandos of the IDF struck them; 102 hostages were evacuated safely, all seven hijackers and many personnel of the Ugandan Army killed and nearly one-third of Ugandan Air force destroyed. The killing of Osama on May 2, 2011 by the US Navy Seals at Bilal Town, Abbottabad, needs no elaboration.

An operation which was disastrous was the Iran hostage crisis when the US launched an operation to save its 52 citizens held hostage in their Embassy at Tehran. It saw no gain as they lost eight US soldiers, one transport aircraft and a helicopter each were destroyed on ground and five helicopters had to be abandoned. These examples explain what is implied by strategic strikes and surgical strikes.

The risk involved of failure and casualties is always high but when warranted this must be taken. Our country too had opportunities to carry out surgical strikes and show our resilience and determination as a nation, but the politicians dithered and developed cold feet. In 1995, six foreign tourists were kidnapped from the Valley by the terrorist group Al Faran. These tourists were held in the Warwan valley in the upper reaches of Doda (J&K), their location was confirmed, the chances of success were high, but permission was refused to conduct what would have been a clinical operation and there was a distinct possibility to save all six. But the tourists were destined to an ignominious end.

Another situation was the hijacking of the IC-814 airbus flying from Kathmandu to Delhi by Harkat-Ul-Mujahadeen terrorists. It first landed at Amritsar, then at three other places before settling down at Kandahar. Paralysis took over any offensive action; a meek response followed; three hardcore terrorists were released who continue to inflict pain on us. Some of those in power then also occupy positions of importance now and should they really want to carry out a surgical strike and gain political mileage, there are targets in Pakistan: Masood for one!

Politicians must understand the importance of national security. Instead of involving themselves in aimless politics over the so-called surgical strikes, they must work as a national government so that the situation is brought under control at the earliest and civilian governance gets back in full flow.

 

[12arya]

some sort of error happened and triple posted!!!
deleted post.

 

[12arya]

some sort of error happened and triple posted!!!
deleted post.

 

[Vinod DX9]

Some one remember the Kharq Island Infiltration mission from Delta Force Black Hawk Down Team Sabre?

 

[Unknowncommando 2]

Nsg Commandos ..........

 

[Unknowncommando 2]

PARA SF ..................................................................................

 

[Prashant12]

Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgrade


NEW DELHI: From new long-range sniper rifles and man-portable anti-tank weapon systems to high-speed underwater scooters and hand-launched micro drones, India continues to gradually modernise its clandestine warfare arm. But the long-proposed Special Operations Command (SOC), or even its truncated version in the shape of a much smaller directorate, is still nowhere on the horizon.

Defence ministry sources on Tuesday said several contracts worth "hundreds of crores" have been inked in recent months to equip the elite special forces of Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy with more highly-specialised weaponry and equipment from countries like Finland, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Israel and Germany.

"More attention is being paid to the Special Forces after Para-SF commandos conducted the cross-border surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in September 2016," said a source.

Contracts for new Finnish Sako sniper rifles, Swedish Carl Gustaf Mark-4 light weight rocket-launchers, Italian Beretta pistols with silencers, for instance, have been inked for the Army's existing nine Para-SF battalions.

Navy's almost 1,000 marine commandos or "Marcos" are inducting Russian VSS suppressed sniper rifles, air-droppable rubberised inflatable boats, remotely-operated underwater vehicles for explosive disposal, combat free-fall parachutes, hands-free power ascenders and opposed boarding equipment. Marcos are slated to get two "midget submarines" or "chariots" under a Rs 2,017 crore project.

Even as IAF is raising 12 new "flights" of Garud commandos to add to the existing 15 flights with 900 personnel, the force is earmarked to induct new sniper rifles, thermal sights, breaching ammunition and the like. "They have already inducted 65 micro-UAVs under a Rs 27 crore contract," said an official.

But SOC remains missing in action. Several committees, including the Naresh Chandra Taskforce in May 2012, strongly recommended the SOC to bring together disparate special forces under a unified command and control structure to execute strategic operations in tune with national security objectives.

A 2012-2013 proposal for a tri-service SOC was eventually whittled down to a smaller Special Operations Directorate, Defence Space Agency and Defence Cyber Agency, which is yet to be approved.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ajor-weapons-upgrade/articleshow/65046489.cms

 

[ezsasa]

SAKO sniper rifles were ordered for MARCOS, but this article says it is for PARA SF.
====================

Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgrade

Contracts for new Finnish Sako sniper rifles, Swedish Carl Gustaf Mark-4 light weight rocket-launchers, Italian Beretta pistols with silencers, for instance, have been inked for the Army's existing nine Para-SF battalions.


Navy's almost 1,000 marine commandos or "Marcos" are inducting Russian VSS suppressed sniper rifles, air-droppable rubberised inflatable boats, remotely-operated underwater vehicles for explosive disposal, combat free-fall parachutes, hands-free power ascenders and opposed boarding equipment. Marcos are slated to get two "midget submarines" or "chariots" under a Rs 2,017 crore project.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ajor-weapons-upgrade/articleshow/65046489.cms

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded negotiations with Italian arms manufacturer Beretta for the import of 177 sniper rifles for its Marine Commandos (MARCOS), the special forces unit of the Indian Navy (IN), for an estimated INR200 million (USD2.98 million).

Official sources said the contract for 177 Sako Tikka T3 TAC 7.62x51 mm bolt-action sniper rifles, which were selected over the British Steel Core Designs SC-76 Thunderbolt model, is likely to be signed in August.

The tender includes 100,000 rounds of 7.62x51 mm match-grade ammunition. Industry sources said rifle and ammunition deliveries would be completed within 6-8 months of the contract being signed.
http://www.janes.com/article/62627/indian-navy-special-forces-to-get-177-sniper-rifles

 

[Unknowncommando 2]

SAKO sniper rifles were ordered for MARCOS, but this article says it is for PARA SF.
====================

Ya where the hell is that Sako Tikka ? I am still searching for it. It was for MARCOS as far as I remember. Now this is something new.

 

[rkhanna]

Still no mention of Communications upgrade for the SOFs. sad.

 

[binayak95]

Still no mention of Communications upgrade for the SOFs. sad.

Its Indian press, sir. I don't think they are capable of recognising an important detail if it waves a flag in their face.

 

[abingdonboy]

SAKO sniper rifles were ordered for MARCOS, but this article says it is for PARA SF.
====================

SO meh, such modest uogrades that don’t even deserve being given this kind of coverage.

Indian SFs are amongst the worst equipped elite units on the PLANET and this is all they are giving them? They need a top to bottom overhaul, every operator needs $10-20k spent on them purely for equipment.

 

[abingdonboy]

View attachment 26516 View attachment 26517
.................................................................................................

Wonder where these guys are from. Most likely a SRG unit- older gen MP-5s, no double mags and light loadouts on their plate carriers.


These aren’t HITs

 

[Unknowncommando 2]

Wonder where these guys are from. Most likely a SRG unit- older gen MP-5s, no double mags and light loadouts on their plate carriers.


These aren’t HITs

Yes SRG i confirmed. well plate carriers are being issued to all commandos now.

 

[rishivashista13]

Marcos are getting VSS sniper !! Wow.... I think it's first time ever that VSS will be used in India.
As the main purpose of this 9mm suppressed stuff is stealth killing, It will fire subsonic projectiles. am I right ??

Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgrade


NEW DELHI: From new long-range sniper rifles and man-portable anti-tank weapon systems to high-speed underwater scooters and hand-launched micro drones, India continues to gradually modernise its clandestine warfare arm. But the long-proposed Special Operations Command (SOC), or even its truncated version in the shape of a much smaller directorate, is still nowhere on the horizon.

Defence ministry sources on Tuesday said several contracts worth "hundreds of crores" have been inked in recent months to equip the elite special forces of Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy with more highly-specialised weaponry and equipment from countries like Finland, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Israel and Germany.

"More attention is being paid to the Special Forces after Para-SF commandos conducted the cross-border surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in September 2016," said a source.

Contracts for new Finnish Sako sniper rifles, Swedish Carl Gustaf Mark-4 light weight rocket-launchers, Italian Beretta pistols with silencers, for instance, have been inked for the Army's existing nine Para-SF battalions.

Navy's almost 1,000 marine commandos or "Marcos" are inducting Russian VSS suppressed sniper rifles, air-droppable rubberised inflatable boats, remotely-operated underwater vehicles for explosive disposal, combat free-fall parachutes, hands-free power ascenders and opposed boarding equipment. Marcos are slated to get two "midget submarines" or "chariots" under a Rs 2,017 crore project.

Even as IAF is raising 12 new "flights" of Garud commandos to add to the existing 15 flights with 900 personnel, the force is earmarked to induct new sniper rifles, thermal sights, breaching ammunition and the like. "They have already inducted 65 micro-UAVs under a Rs 27 crore contract," said an official.

But SOC remains missing in action. Several committees, including the Naresh Chandra Taskforce in May 2012, strongly recommended the SOC to bring together disparate special forces under a unified command and control structure to execute strategic operations in tune with national security objectives.

A 2012-2013 proposal for a tri-service SOC was eventually whittled down to a smaller Special Operations Directorate, Defence Space Agency and Defence Cyber Agency, which is yet to be approved.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ajor-weapons-upgrade/articleshow/65046489.cms

Sent from my Redmi 4A using Tapatalk

 

[Unknowncommando 2]

NSG Commandos ..........

With NDRF

 

[shankyz]

Marcos are getting VSS sniper !! Wow.... I think it's first time ever that VSS will be used in India.
As the main purpose of this 9mm suppressed stuff is stealth killing, It will fire subsonic projectiles. am I right ??

Sent from my Redmi 4A using Tapatalk

Vintorez , a.k.a., "Thread Cutter" [emoji41]

 

[12arya]

Lt. Col. Megh Singh....the father of Indian Special Forces.

 

[abingdonboy]

NSG Commandos ..........
View attachment 26583 View attachment 26584
With NDRF

Fascinating. Wonder what kind of scenioro is being drilled when NDRF and NSG are there?