Indian Special Forces

[Kumaoni]

Very well, then post away man! Or maybe Ill check your post history and pick up a few.

Here’s an account of a commando like operation done by Alfa Company of 4th Bn Kumaon regiment supported by the commando platoon, fought off brigade reinforcements for a whole day which allowed two other battalions to capture 2 BOPs (Chatlapur). 1971 War.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES (A SUBALTERN’s STORY)

( This is a real life story of my best friend for 54 yrs, Brig Jasbir Singh, SM, Rtd, now in a wheel chair due to injuries from several...

cyclicstories.blogspot.com

This battalion did another commando like operation and in 1965, where it, along with 3rd Bn Sikh regimenr, destroyed two bridges in Pakistani territory. will post about this tommorow or on October 11th, to mark the anniversary.

 

[ManhattanProject]

An airborne guy and sf ,both can jump out of a plane , does that make both of them same ?
The time period you are refering to is one where para sf was para commandos , there were no modern sop, no support arms, nothing, I would suggest you do some research online and instead of comparing things to 57 years back ,start learning about modern modus operandi of different units.

Yes some are special forces , rest are very special forces

 

[ManhattanProject]

I'm sorry for that. I'm relatively new here. What are SM related posts? Where can I post them?

Its alarming that only two companies responded, what did they ask?

 

[Kumaoni]

Yes some are special forces , rest are very special forces

Elaborate?

 

[Waanar]

Elaborate?

Since paratroopers are now SF, we can call the OG units very SF.

Such SF, much wow.

 

[Kumaoni]

Since paratroopers are now SF, we can call the OG units very SF.

Such SF, much wow.

Oh okay

 

[ShoorVeer]

Here’s an account of a commando like operation done by Alfa Company of 4th Bn Kumaon regiment supported by the commando platoon, fought off brigade reinforcements for a whole day which allowed two other battalions to capture 2 BOPs (Chatlapur). 1971 War.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES (A SUBALTERN’s STORY)

( This is a real life story of my best friend for 54 yrs, Brig Jasbir Singh, SM, Rtd, now in a wheel chair due to injuries from several...

cyclicstories.blogspot.com

This battalion did another commando like operation and in 1965, where it, along with 3rd Bn Sikh regimenr, destroyed two bridges in Pakistani territory. will post about this tommorow or on October 11th, to mark the anniversary.

Great stuff man. Cheers!

 

[ALBY]

Well then it’s quite hard to compare from 2000-2022 as very little literature has come out from that time (understandably). The only operation I know of is Sarp Vinash which saw elimination of 20-25 terrorists for the loss of one sf personnel.

even it is highly controversial due to the figures presented by army back then.First they said they killed some 70 militants which was proved to be false..Yes Ptr Sanjog Chettri was Kia as part of it.

 

[Kumaoni]

even it is highly controversial due to the figures presented by army back then.First they said they killed some 70 militants which was proved to be false..Yes Ptr Sanjog Chettri was Kia as part of it.

The total amount of bodies was 25-27 I believe according to swami. Still a very appreciable operation (25:1 kill ratio)

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

Isn’t the role of Ghataks to do behind the enemy lines attacks? The Meghdhoot force of ‘65 was basically a combination of Ghatak platoons from a Rajput, Raj Rif, and later in Chhamb,3rd Kumaon (Rifles) and 6 Sikh LIs ghatak commandos joined the force. This force played havoc on Pakistani lines. Similarly, cross border LoC ops were also largely done by Ghataks AFAIK. So that’s where I am lost I guess. The distinction between Ghataks and Para SF.

Can you post any credible link where i can read about this Ghatak platoon existing in 1965.

 

[Kumaoni]

]

Can you post any credible link where i can read about this Ghatak platoon existing in 1965.

About Meghdoot force? Just read War Despatches by Lt Gen Habrkash Singh. However, it was initially Raj Rif and Rajput regiment boys, but when the force shifted to Chhamb, A platoon of 6 Sikh LI and 3rd Kumaon joined them (both Lt. sohal of 6 Sikh LI and 2 Lt. Uma Kant Dube if 3rd Kumaon were awarded sena medals ).

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

]
About Meghdoot force? Just read War Despatches by Lt Gen Habrkash Singh. However, it was initially Raj Rif and Rajput regiment boys, but when the force shifted to Chhamb, A platoon of 6 Sikh LI and 3rd Kumaon joined them (both Lt. sohal of 6 Sikh LI and 2 Lt. Uma Kant Dube if 3rd Kumaon were awarded sena medals ).
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No..Ghatak existing in 1965

 

[Kumaoni]

No..Ghatak existing in 1965

The term “ghatak” didn’t exist, but there were said commando platoons of battalions

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

The term “ghatak” didn’t exist, but there were said commando platoons of battalions

You are a history student hence you cannot talk so loosely.

What was the name of the Earlier Ghataks?I have forgot maybe you can do some research and let me know.

You seem to have a good stock of books.

Thank you.

 

[Kumaoni]

You are a history student hence you cannot talk so loosely.

What was the name of the Earlier Ghataks?I have forgot maybe you can do some research and let me know.

You seem to have a good stock of books.

Thank you.

I think it was called “commando platoon” only. I haven’t seen references to ghataks in any regimental history dated pre-2000. However, said commando platoons served the same purpose as Ghataks in a battalion

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

I think it was called “commando platoon” only. I haven’t seen references to ghataks in any regimental history dated pre-2000. However, said commando platoons served the same purpose as Ghataks in a battalion

No i think if i am not mistaken it was called Prahari or something like that.I would have to search.

 

[rkhanna]

No i think if i am not mistaken it was called Prahari or something like that.I would have to search.

Prahar - jogs something in my memory. But imo there is no formal Ghatak like formation in the Indian Army before the current form. The concept did not exist in the orbat.

 

[abingdonboy]

Isn’t the role of Ghataks to do behind the enemy lines attacks? The Meghdhoot force of ‘65 was basically a combination of Ghatak platoons from a Rajput, Raj Rif, and later in Chhamb,3rd Kumaon (Rifles) and 6 Sikh LIs ghatak commandos joined the force. This force played havoc on Pakistani lines. Similarly, cross border LoC ops were also largely done by Ghataks AFAIK. So that’s where I am lost I guess. The distinction between Ghataks and Para SF.

Ghataks are infantry men given specialised training to conduct certain specialist tasks at a battalion level. All IA infantry battalions has a Ghatak platoon (20-30 men) and they operate at the battalion commander’s discretion. So they are more tactical assets than anything, in Western parlance they’d be considered special operations capable infantry sort of like USMC Force Recon (not MARSOC).

SF are meant to be strategic assets used to achieve strategic aims, aside from their CI/CT missions their directions should come from senior levels (HQ level and above)

 

[abingdonboy]

An airborne guy and sf ,both can jump out of a plane , does that make both of them same ?

Need to ask IA HQ that, apparently this is the case.

 

[rkhanna]

Need to ask IA HQ that, apparently this is the case.

In our country we give anybody who jumps out of a plane a Maroon Beret.