The world is going through a geopolitical turmoil and churn not witnessed for decades. We are being faced with VUCA (Volatility, Uncertain, Complex and ambiguous) scenarios which demand application of new approach where you avoid traditional, outdated approaches to dealing with situations. The security dynamics are so volatile that they need quick yet calibrated responses. The Indian environment is increasingly becoming complex. The Covid and Galwan mix of threats followed a long period where all national effort had to come together to deal with the Indian VUCA environment. Globally, Ukraine and Taiwan security situation has added more uncertainty to the future of peace.
In the Indian context, The Army have been actively engaged on the Line of Control to prevent infiltration by Pak terrorists. In combination with active LC, our troops have engaged in Counter Terrorist Operations in the hinterland. This is a reactive process. However, there has been a paradigm shift in the Indian doctrine when India began hitting across the borders. The surgical strikes by the Special Forces and the airstrikes by the IAF are application of regular combat power in an undeclared war. However, use of media and Information/disinformation campaign in support of such operations takes us into the fringes of grey Zone. In the Indian context the narrative is certainly undergoing a change. With the increasing use of technology, cyber, space, Special forces in the changing nature of Warfare gives a clear pointer that Indian Forces have to prepare, train and operate in the uncertain environment or the Grey Zone. There has to be a mandate shift which is seen on the anvil with the raising of the Indian Special Forces Division.
Precision Strikes
The world watched the media with great interest when the Indian Army announced that Special Forces have conducted surgical strikes across the international borders to hit terrorist camps, initially in Myanmar in 2015, and later across the Line of Control in 2016. The Indian Special Forces and Paratroopers have had a rich history in contributing to success during War and in Sub-conventional operations. The paradrop at Tangail by 2 Parachute Battalion (now 2 Para SF) contributed significantly towards speedily achieving the victory towards the capture of Dacca in 1971 War and were the first unit to enter Dhaka. A Team from the same unit was used in Operation Khukri in Sierra Leone in 2000 for hostage rescue of UN peacekeepers. Similarly, 6 Parachute Battalion landed in the Maldives in November 1988 under the codename ‘Operation Cactus’ in support of the ruling government to prevent a coup.
Every country has a component of Special Forces as part of Military or Para Military Force. Even though they are formed units and equipped to a military specification, the organizations hugely differ from country to country. The flexibility and adaptability are the edifice of SF organizations. Such forces are very easily prone to be interfaced with the other forms of warring organizations, whether regular or irregular. The members of Special Forces are most adaptable and you cannot set too many templates for them to operate. Similarly, the equipment profile, training, and organization would be flexible for being suitable for application for multi domain, multi terrain and Hybrid situations. Even though no organization is ‘Fail Safe’ yet it must have high degree of assurance of success in an ambiguous environment and promise of sustainability.
How it all began
Indian Special Forces originated from ‘Meghdoot Force’ raised in 1965 by a maverick Infantry-man Major Megh Singh. It is indeed interesting the story of the birth of Indian Special Forces and British SAS are somewhat similar as both were brainchild of two maverick officers who somehow managed to convince their bosses, in rather unorthodox manner, to raise a small band of force to operate behind the enemy lines. Meghdoot Force later joined Parachute Regiment and became 9 Para Commando, and later re-christened as 9 Para (SF). The second unit 10 Para (SF) was created drawing men from 9 Para (SF). Most of the Parachute battalions have been gradually converted into Special Forces units meant for different terrains and sectors. Their roles are markedly different from that of the Parachute Battalions.
Special Forces operate in small teams and mostly behind enemy lines in an unconventional manner. The troops in SF units are volunteers who are selected through a very gruelling probation cum elimination process with barely 10 to 15 percent of volunteers making the cut. They are highly motivated, superbly trained, skilled, specially equipped and suitable to be employed either in conjunction with conventional forces or used independently in unconventional/sub-conventional operations. In fact, these forces are employable in a whole range of operations contingent upon them bringing strategic dividends. Their operations are highly calibrated and shrouded in secrecy. SF targets are decided at the highest levels of decision making and chosen with great care and deliberation. These forces are used to alter the course of battle and turn the war around to achieve disproportionate gains. These are usually sensitive, high risk strategic operations to be achieved at precise cost.
Our edge
Indian Special Forces are regarded as one of the best in the world for the results that they have produced. These Forces have performed exceedingly well during the Live Situation Training (LST) deployments in the J&K and the Northeast India. Certain SF units have theatre specific roles however, those units who come from outside the Theatre are given tenures in high threat areas to operationally practice their skills. These units have achieved major successes in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terror Operations in the given time and suffered minimum losses. These forces have become more significant in the last few decades because of the hybrid warfare that has emerged as the form of Warfare in recent times.
Hybrid warfare is a mix of all types of violence, using all possible means to achieve disruption against the adversary. This is a form of unrestricted warfare beginning from non-contact; non- kinetic operations to highly kinetic application of force. Both State and Non-State actors may be involved directly or indirectly with high level deniability. These operations include employment of orthodox to unorthodox means. These are sometimes referred to as ‘Grey’ operations or ‘Black’ operations depending on how much ownership a state wants to take or deny.
If Special Forces are not used directly to prosecute operations , these would willy nilly get sucked into response operations. The raids conducted across the Line of Control, popularly referred to as Surgical Strikes, post Uri attack by Pakistan was in response to a number of such attacks carried out by Pakistani forces (SSG) along with or under the garb of irregulars. Such combat requires Special Warriors to understand the situation and react accordingly, that is where special forces come into action. These Forces remain in a high state of readiness with complete situational awareness round the clock.
Conclusion
In the Indian Armed Forces, all three Services maintain a high state of readiness through their respective Special Forces such as Army SF units, Garuds of Indian Air Force and MARCOS (Marine Commandos) of the Indian Navy. The Ministry of Home Affairs also maintains certain Forces such as National Security Guards (NSG), comprising Army Special Action Groups such as 51st and 52nd SAGs and additional units at NSG Regional Hubs in various states. These units are the strike units for Anti-Hijack and Anti-terror operations. The operations conducted to clear the Taj Hotel; Mumbai of terrorists was by an SAG unit composed of Indian Army personnel on deputation. Indian Army SF troops also serve on deputation to highly classified units operating directly under the Central Government.
