Discussion on Indian Special Forces

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rkhanna
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rkhanna »

Got this from another Forum..Dont have a link posting in full
Capt Vivek Sonal of 10 Para Commando was returning to base at Palaly Airfield on that fateful winter evening. He was approaching Chavakacheri, about 50 km by road from Jaffna, which was a known hotspot in tiger country. He was in the lead jeep wearing his black commando bandana, with his driver at the wheel. A sharp bend appeared on the left and his driver reduced speed and slowed down. On the opposite side of the road stood a single two-storied building, which he glanced at with suspicion. As they took the bend, his driver slumped forward on the wheel, hit by a sniper’s bullet in the head. He was killed instantly, Capt Sonal, being blessed with the reflexes of a Commando, instinctively put his head down.

The second sniper’s bullet, which was heading straight for the centre of his forehead, entered his skull and exited from behind. The tigers had been waiting for him to extract their ‘Toll Tax’. “I’m hit!” he yelled on R/T to his JCO who was following behind in a second jeep some ten yards behind him. “Takeover!” The JCO had seen what happened and did not need instructions. He had a loaded Karl Gustav RCL at the ready and fired instantaneously. The second story of the building crumbled in the explosion of a direct hit. But as his officer was down he did not pursue. He called for an immediate CAS EVAC on R/T. All this happened within thirty seconds. I was at the ATC tower to check on the night flying programme which was scheduled for that evening. The Mi-8 Dett was due for a routine night conversion training session for it’s pilots.

The flare path was laid out and the aircraft was about to start up when Col Dalbir Singh CO of 10 Paras came doubling up the stairs with a request for an immediate Cas Evac. “Tweety Bird, this is Puddy Tat. Cancel Con Trg. We have a Cas Evac Mission for you. Get airborne and head for CVC. Further instructions in a minute.” Sqn Ldr Jai Bir Singh the Dett Cdr was airborne and on course within a minute. Col Dalbir Singh passed on the coordinates of the ambush site on R/T. The flying time was estimated to be six minutes. He was told to climb to 300m and remain at that height till he got clearance to descend. This was a basic precaution to remain above the effective range of small arms of the LTTE. OC 10 Paras was told to select a suitable landing site next to the road. He was to position four vehicles with their headlights on at the four corners of the selected landing ground. For identification and as an aid to the pilot they were to flash their headlights on hearing the chopper overhead. Once they confirmed the helipad was secure the JCO was to fire a “Green” very cartridge for positive identification and clearance.

This would be the signal for the chopper to descend. It was already about thirty minutes after sunset and the evening haze was setting in. Other lights in the surrounding area were a distraction. There was also a chance the Tigers would try and lure the chopper elsewhere. Their ingenuity could never be underestimated. The whole operation was touch-and-go. “Puddy Tat this is Tweety Bird. I am over the LZ and I can see a “Green” Request permission to descend.” “Tweety Bird you are clear to descend. Report when causality is on board. Keep clear of all buildings in that area when you approach the LZ.” In the next few minutes the helicopter had picked up the wounded officer and the body of the dead jawan and was on the way back to base. It was instructed to land directly at the hospital helipad. This was a Sri Lankan Army Hospital manned by Indian Army AMC Officers. The Surgeon examined the casuality and confirmed that the bullet had penetrated his skull but had exited from the rear without damaging his spinal cord. The injury was serious and internal bleeding had set in. No neurosurgeon was available at the hospital and if the officer’s life was to be saved he had to be evacuated to Madras without any further delay. This situation put me on the horns of a dilemma. Although night flying was permitted on the island by IPKF helicopters, there was a strict embargo on crossing the Palk Straits to get to the Mainland. All fixed wing aircraft returned to Tambaram at night and were not parked overnight at Palaly for security reasons.
Toll tax in Tiger country


A special request had to be made to the AOC at OFC HQ at Madras. I got through to Gp Capt Chandrasekar who was my friend, philosopher and guide and appraised him of my situation. I also told him that if I did not get a response within half an hour, I had ordered the fitting of auxiliary fuel tanks on a Mi-8 just in case. I could not afford to be rule bound and had enough justification to bend the rules, if I had to. The Izzat of the Air Force was at stake. He assured me that he would convince the powers that be. Fortunately within thirty minutes the R/T at the ATC crackled to life. An AN 32 was on it’s way. “Puddy Tat from Blue Angel. Airborne for you. Estimating your field at 1950 request landing instructions.” “Blue Angel.

Am I glad to hear you? Clear Direct Approach 05. Winds Calm. Vis 03nm.” An AN 32 of 19 Sqn Dett at Tambaram was winging it’s way. The Capt was instructed to park in the apron in front of the ATC and not to switch off. The causality was positioned at that point to avoid any delay. Everything went like clockwork and the fully conscious officer on a stretcher was put on board with two attendants. His final words to his CO still ring in my ears— “Sir, when I get back, promise me you will give me another chance to get them!” Commandos may be down but they can never be out! That evening Capt Sonal was successfully operated and in the next three days he was declared out of danger. He was ambushed at 1700h some 50 km from the airbase.

He was on the operating table in Chennai by 2200 hrs. Not too bad for a day’s work. Maybe we should be in the Guinness Book of Records. Postscript. Capt Sonal did not get that second chance. He was discharged from the Army on medical grounds. He lives in Pune and writes books on Counter Insurgency.

— The author Gp Capt Anil (Tootsie) Ghosh was mentioned in dispatches for his valour and valiant contribution during the 1971 war
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by bharats »

Multi-city, multiple attacks on India 'more than a possibility': NSG

MANESAR (HARYANA): NSG, the country's elite counter-terror force, today warned that global terror outfits like the dreaded ISIS and al-Qaeda could join hands and launch a "multi-city multiple attack" on India. The warning of a combined terror attack was sounded by National Security Guards(NSG) Director General J N Choudhury, who also called the 2008 Mumbai carnage that killed 166 people as just a "curtain raiser".

Read complete story at http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... n-isis-nsg
member_20317
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_20317 »

pushkar.bhat wrote:Attaching a link to a very well written article on the composition, ethos and operational aspects of Rashtriya Rifles by Gen Syed Ata Hasnain.

This is something you can add to a curated Must Read List for CI/CT.

Does RR get the same privileges w.r.t. the medical facilities as does the Indian Army for the dependents of jawans and officers? I know of a case where I was told of an Assam Rifles jawan who had to go through a lot of trouble having his dependent treated at the Delhi Army hospital. Unfortunately, I could not keep track of how it was finally managed.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rohitvats »

ravi_g wrote: Does RR get the same privileges w.r.t. the medical facilities as does the Indian Army for the dependents of jawans and officers? I know of a case where I was told of an Assam Rifles jawan who had to go through a lot of trouble having his dependent treated at the Delhi Army hospital. Unfortunately, I could not keep track of how it was finally managed.
But for a brief period at it's inception, RR has been under MOD. Also, all the personnel in RR are from regular army. So, there is no issue on this aspect.

Coming to AR, well, they're a paramilitary force under the MHA and this creates whole lot of bureaucratic issues. However, treatment in Delhi in Army Hospital (there is Base Hospital and then there is Research & Referral popularly called as RR Hospital) could be a completely different issue. RR takes only referral cases while BH would do the same but for army, navy or IAF units it is tasked to take care of because of it's location.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rkhanna »

A brilliantly written article on the difference between ST6 and Delta. (posting excerpts). Lots of food for thought on our own forces ORBAT and tasking.


n a place like Iraq where most of the combat was conducted in urban and close quarters environments, you really can’t tell the difference between a Delta operation verses a ST6 operation.

Afghanistan has shown to be a different case. Many times during an assault against an objective in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan a simple clandestine HVT snatch and grab operation can turn into a major ambush. When this happens, the operation just turned conventional.

There is no “special” way to react to an ambush or contact that is taught only to SOF units and kept hidden from other units. React to ambush is a basic infantry battle drill, and when shit hits the fan you better believe a Delta operator will be doing the same thing an 11-Bravo private from the 101st is doing on an Afghan objective somewhere else. Here is where some of the “cultural” differences play a major part in how both units operate.

The vast majority of Delta are infantrymen by MOS or were infantrymen at some point in their careers. SEALs are not or never were infantrymen nor have they spent time training as infantrymen; they are a maritime special operations force that focuses on direct action and special reconnaissance.

My time in Afghanistan in 2005 was wrought with boredom and non-existent combat, so I have never been on an Afghan objective with ST6 (I got my feet wet in Iraq with Delta).

To put it best; my good friend, a squad leader with the Rangers, who has hit countless objectives side by side with ST6 expresses that the unit is incapable of making the switch from “operators” to “basic infantry grunts” when the need to do so arises. It’s not a fault of the unit but simply a by-product of where the shooters were “raised.”



Read more: http://sofrep.com/5447/differences-delt ... z3J2ai0i4t
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by KiranM »

^^^ On related note a video claiming joint drill by Para SF and Marcos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wCf2hd1MUk
Unable to differentiate between them though.
Last edited by KiranM on 14 Nov 2014 17:20, edited 1 time in total.
JE Menon
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by JE Menon »

^^am I mistaken or are there ordinary folk running alongside the marcos/para sf? :D

Plenty of onlookers.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by KiranM »

JE Menon wrote:^^am I mistaken or are there ordinary folk running alongside the marcos/para sf? :D

Plenty of onlookers.
Few of the civilian looking folks you see walking with SF around 1:20 will be guys role playing as bad guys. Video is too grainy to make out. I can recognize the digital pattern camo of Marcos, but finding it difficult to positively identify Para SF.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by JE Menon »

Ah OK...got it.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Aditya G »

Ex IBSAMAR III

Image
vaibhav.n
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by vaibhav.n »

Blast from the past. COAS with DGMO presented Army SF Regiment Banner.

Image

1 Para Commando FDC 1986


The Bane of Pseudo Specialisation-P C Katoch
The Proposal simply recommends that the regular Para units be assigned the SF roles of ‘Independent Small Team actions’, ‘Guerilla warfare’, ‘Sub-Conventional Operations in Unconventional scenario’ and ‘Hostage-Rescue’, significantly discarding their primary role of holding ground. Under the shadow of such pseudo specialisation, the Special Forces concept relevant to Special Forces gets side-tracked.They might as well have proposed that Para battalions be given the role of Para (SF). Who, one may ask will then perform the roles of the Parachute Brigade and Para Battalions?

Such pseudo specialisation efforts lead to parachute units clamouring for the SF allowances and insignia rather than concentrating on their own primary task. A commanding officer of a regular Para Battalion, while briefing his Colonel of the Regiment two years ago, went to the extent of saying that his unit should be given the special forces allowance and insignia or they would like to leave the regiment and join the normal infantry.

The fact that parachute units, which are infantry units with airborne capability, must continue to be mandated with tasks that are in support of a formation in their ground holding role strangely gets obfuscated periodically. The fact is that a Para battalion is an infantry battalion in an airborne role and in no way can be equated to a Special Forces unit.

The 2004 study had also recommended that each Parachute Special Forces (Airborne) unit (alias Para) unit should have a minimum of 30 personnel qualified in combat military free fall. Prior to this, the pseudo specialist advisors had been asking for the 30 Pathfinders in Para Battalions to be based on Para Motors. In proposing this, the advantages of using Para Motors in counter-insurgency areas like Jammu and Kashmir was also being emphasised till someone in the audience remarked this would also require bullet proof bum pads lest we land up with gunshot wounds on the backsides. Using Pathfinders en masse using Para Motors is an absurd concept to say the least, their only use being stealthy insertion in ones or twos, providing the terrain and winds are favourable.

The requirement for the army is to reflect on the above and take stock. The requirement of the Parachute Brigade and Para battalions is loud and clear while we prepare for a combined China-Pakistan threat. You can hardly go any distance in the mountains unless you can establish airheads and go for rapid build-up in the enemy rear, including follow-up air transported operations. The Para battalions must continue to concentrate on their primary role of ground holding. The mad race for finding parity with Para (SF) must be put at rest even if it implies delinking them from Para (SF).

Additionally, the army should ensure that appointments dealing with special forces issues must be held only be special forces officers. lower rank officers officiating in, say, the appointment of ADGMO (SF) should be accepted. Should the Para (SF) and Para continue to share the same regiment (though not desirable in the face of continuing acrimony), at least each of these entities must have its own Colonel of the Regiment.

If delinking is unacceptable, then the Parachute Regiment should be renamed the Special Forces and Airborne Regiment, with a separate Colonel of the Regiment for Special Forces and Airborne Forces.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_19805 »

rohitvats wrote:BTW, the unit in the story is 1 Para SF.
Nope...it's 21 Para SF..that's the unit Col Crasto commanded :D
Cheers
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by vaibhav.n »

There is a difference between getting Commissioned into and Commanding a unit. The Op was conducted by 1 Para. He was even there with 1 Para during Bluestar and IPKF.

Couple of funny stories i have been told...
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Rajput »

vaibhav.n wrote:There is a difference between getting Commissioned into and Commanding a unit. The Op was conducted by 1 Para. He was even there with 1 Para during Bluestar and IPKF
Yep, most often the officers end up commanding other units. If they're lucky they get to command another SF unit; otherwise, it's off to RR/AR etc.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_19805 »

vaibhav.n wrote:There is a difference between getting Commissioned into and Commanding a unit. The Op was conducted by 1 Para. He was even there with 1 Para during Bluestar and IPKF.

Couple of funny stories i have been told...
Suggest you read the thread again....the period being referred to here is the late 90's when Crasto was commanding 21 SF...the op took place in the East & was conducted by 21 SF on his watch.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rohitvats »

Kiki wrote:
vaibhav.n wrote:There is a difference between getting Commissioned into and Commanding a unit. The Op was conducted by 1 Para. He was even there with 1 Para during Bluestar and IPKF.

Couple of funny stories i have been told...
Suggest you read the thread again....the period being referred to here is the late 90's when Crasto was commanding 21 SF...the op took place in the East & was conducted by 21 SF on his watch.
My point about unit being 1 Para SF was basis the fact a team from this unit was operating in east in the said period. And secondly, the the bit about moving from Nahan to ops area in east. Unless, it means 21 Para SF moving as a whole post conversion in Nahan to east.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by ravip »

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member_28840
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_28840 »

Great Pics! Thanks for sharing those Ravi.
I am constantly amazed and impressed by how far we have come on basic kit. My only wish is that they were wearing body armor with better coverage than the plate carriers they are using now.

Also any idea about who gets sidearms and who doesn't? I you notice only a few are carrying one on a leg holster.
Is it only NCOs / JCOs / Officers who are sanctioned to carry sidearms in SF / RR formations as well? If so, doesn't this mark them out for snipers and sharpshooters?
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by ravip »

These pics are from dumb and def forum, paki land. The description there was that the room intervention team get secondary arms and full kit, it is not that others don't have them but for this operation those sci fi kits are irrelevant and more over light weight is any sf wish.

One aspect that any SF emphasis is about tactics and experience and not about super duper kit. Once speaking to a officer about level of kit provided to our SF,he quoted about op redwing where in the recee team from seals had lost all their kit during there fall from the Murphy's cliff but the team put up a formidable resistance before being killed. The team only had their primary weapon and nothing else, but the four of them, because of their experience, used concentrated fire power creating an impression of much larger force being present.

So please come out of this impression that level of kit decides the quality of SF.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by krishnan »

too much of armor makes it hard to run and hide and do other op specific things, they all add weight to the body making it hard to be agile
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_28840 »

@ravi
No one is arguing that the kit is what decides the quality of troops. And i don't have an 'impression' about this either. Obviously, experience and tactics are far more important. But it is an undeniable fact that good kit (not super dooper uber stuff but just basic items, such as body armor, helmets, load carrying equipment, Molle, winter clothing, boots etc that we see in the pics) will make the difference between life and death.

I don't care much for the Travor, its a great gun for sure, but a well treated AK / AKM is accurate enough and very reliable to boot. If you notice these pics don't have any "sci fi" kit as you put it, and neither was i commenting "why are our guys not carrying headsets, squad level radio, nvg , why no thermal imaging sights, why no self aiming rifles? they have those you know?". I agree that side arms are not important when you have people by your side to cover you, my question was merely why some have them and some don't. You could have just answered that the room clearing teams have them and the rest don't, instead of trying to lecture me about the benefits of kit and lack thereof.

My remark about the body armor being worn is since very clearly since the vest's shown in the picture are just plate carriers that cover the chest. They are great for stopping damage to the heart and lungs, but they don't cover or provide protection to the abdomen. If you have ever seen someone or heard of someone getting shot or stabbed in the stomach and having their intestines hanging out, you would realize that this is not a good way to die (just FYI I have heard of several stories about this from family members and family friends who were in the services). Even with prompt medical aid, getting shot in the stomach still has quite high rates of mortality. My comment about body Armour that provides better coverage, especially in the sides and abdomen regions. (don't even get me started on the lack of side coverage and the wounds that can cause) is in this context.

I am not some stary eyed fanboy to get impressed by gold plated gear, but given where we were even as relatively recently as Kargil (look at what even the Ghatak platoons were using back then and tell me if we haven't made an improvement) and possibly even during mumbai, you will forgive me for being impressed at the progress we have been making as far as basic kit is concern (although most of the upgrades seem to be focused only on equipping RR, Para and Ghatak forces. But i have confidence that the rest of our boys will get them eventually as well).

While i am perfectly happy for us to not waste resources on overpriced "sci fi" gear l will not compromise when it comes to boots, warm clothing, helmets, body armor and anything that will help our guys survive a firefight. I am sure you must be as tried and frustrated as I am hearing about the casualties we are taking. While some of them are unavoidable due to circumstance, a lot of lives can be saved with decent gear, especially when it comes to body armor.

apologies if my post comes off as a tinge hostile, but i perceived the same from your post, perhaps that was not your intention.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by member_28840 »

krishnan wrote:too much of armor makes it hard to run and hide and do other op specific things, they all add weight to the body making it hard to be agile
I am not talking about heavy body armor like the Interceptor. But just one with better coverage for the stomach and sides.

And yes while armor is a compromise, as it adds extra weight. It may not be as big a detriment to our guys, who as you may know endure the Indian Army's famed forced marches. Do you think someone who has to undergo 35+ KM of forced marches and forced runs while fully loaded down will be hindered so much, by some body armor, to the point of being ineffective in combat?
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by ravip »

xave wrote:
krishnan wrote:too much of armor makes it hard to run and hide and do other op specific things, they all add weight to the body making it hard to be agile
I am not talking about heavy body armor like the Interceptor. But just one with better coverage for the stomach and sides.

And yes while armor is a compromise, as it adds extra weight. It may not be as big a detriment to our guys, who as you may know endure the Indian Army's famed forced marches. Do you think someone who has to undergo 35+ KM of forced marches and forced runs while fully loaded down will be hindered so much, by some body armor, to the point of being ineffective in combat?

Agreed. But the point I was making is, it is for SF to decide what u carry and wear. Yes the state has to provide everything that is demanded , and it should not be like there are demands by SF and state fails to provide the same.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Karan M »

Read the state NSG was in at 26/11 whe the Italian clan had people in Oakleys defending them and it shows what the past 8 years have been about.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by ravip »

Karan M wrote:Read the state NSG was in at 26/11 whe the Italian clan had people in Oakleys defending them and it shows what the past 8 years have been about.

Yes SF deserve the best, they are the cream of our first line of defence. They have to be provided with top of the line equipment that money can buy. Was astonished when Dutt, the then director nsg, said they lacked wall penetrating thermal radars or ball cameras which could have helped a lot. There has to be separate agency which involves in R&D for SF. In zero dark thirty book mark Owen mentions that the equipment store modified each gun according to the demands of each operator. He further describes that the store carried a writing on it "you dream we build".

Yes the Italian mafia may have brought the AF on to its knees, but its seven months that modi has taken over the reins but still things are the same. The change should start with establishment of Special Operations Command directly under the IDS command.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Karan M »

Dude, forget wall penetrating radars etc, basic stuff like helmets was in short supply. What tbey had was decades old stuff from the 80s. The reserves to be flown in were short of kit as well. The Italian clan and their mute puppet clearly used the money gor their own aims.

And if we see the magnitude of challenge facing the new Govt with empty coffers and huge holes. It will take years to reverse the damage done over the past decade. Basic aims are to build up ammo reserves, get arty programs going etc. On paper restructuring alone wont cut it.
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by ravip »

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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by jamwal »

Are they using weapons captured from terrorists ?
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Karan M »

IA SF uses Uzis and vz.58s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vz._58

A great video explaining the differences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QemYI_aWWvM
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rkhanna »

Came across this video of a Golden Jubilee (2012) dedication to the SFF. The video has alot of pictures (fingers cross that the pictures are genuine).

- Interesting commentary and pictures of Female Soldiers of the Unit.
- A couple of Pictures attributed to SG show soldiers with small arms never knew were in Indian Hands. (hoping the pictures are geniune). But if you look at the rest of the BPUs/ Boots, The way the side arm is on the hip seems "Indian" enough.
- See pics at 14.05/14.07 and 14.29 .. Can somebody identify the SCAR type Gun? In 14.05 and 29 the black overalls could be pictures of a different country. However i doubt it. Look at the picture at around the 14.07 mark (in the Jungle- def indian DPU camo but same guns?

gurus- comments?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844325122293400
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by samsher »

^^^^
@17:46, while "profiling" the CO's of the unit, isn't that a familiar face? The name seems to be misspelt so are the decorations.
it says "Maj Gen. Dalvir Singh, AVSM, VRL, VSM"
The current chief's decorations include "PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, and ADC".

so the VRL is probably a typo, or perhaps a decoration from the tibetian govt. in exile?
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by sum »

^^ Gold mine of a video...Thanks for sharing!!
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rkhanna »

I see P-90s, FN-2000s and that (SCAR?) type AR. Seems like we bought more than just for the SPG. Also looks like not just SG got them. If you look under the Picture for 5 Vikas (Jungle DPU) they seem to have the same guns. (unless ofcourse the Picture was tagged wrong).
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by rkhanna »

Links to some of the Screen

https://31.media.tumblr.com/9eb38a55119 ... 2_1280.png

https://33.media.tumblr.com/518fb263c22 ... 3_1280.png


https://38.media.tumblr.com/978fb5c1169 ... 6_1280.png

https://31.media.tumblr.com/d45e1ccb72f ... 1_1280.png
Remind anybody of the NSG training Facility in Manesar?

https://38.media.tumblr.com/6f20ac8e254 ... 1_1280.png



As Exciting these Pictures are is still sad to see that "modernization" of our SpeOps has been limited (largely) to Small Arms only. Forget the normal "Helmet" Nitpick. Even these Tailored Cloth Clothing has to go.
rkhanna
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

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Aditya G
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Aditya G »

^ SFF documentary. The terms Establishment 2-2 and SFF have been used interchangeably it seems. "Vikas Regiment" has not been used.

Assuming each to be a battalion size unit, the force is quite large. Listing out the raising dates:

6 Vikas - 26 Jan 1965
1 Vikas - 14 April 1976
2 Vikas - 15 July 1976
3 Vikas - 2 April 1977
Special Group - 1977
5 Vikas - 3 Oct 1978
1 Archer - 22 Jan 1999
7 Vikas - 15 Oct 2001

Can anybody clarify what a "column" means?. Is it an establishment or a formation? The video says it was the "zulu column" of the SFF (Gorkha) which participated in Op Bluestar.
Thakur_B
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Thakur_B »

rkhanna wrote:Came across this video of a Golden Jubilee (2012) dedication to the SFF. The video has alot of pictures (fingers cross that the pictures are genuine).

- Interesting commentary and pictures of Female Soldiers of the Unit.
- A couple of Pictures attributed to SG show soldiers with small arms never knew were in Indian Hands. (hoping the pictures are geniune). But if you look at the rest of the BPUs/ Boots, The way the side arm is on the hip seems "Indian" enough.
- See pics at 14.05/14.07 and 14.29 .. Can somebody identify the SCAR type Gun? In 14.05 and 29 the black overalls could be pictures of a different country. However i doubt it. Look at the picture at around the 14.07 mark (in the Jungle- def indian DPU camo but same guns?

gurus- comments?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844325122293400
Some of the video clips in that documentary are from other videos available on youtube of Indian SFs. For example the room intervention clip that runs in the background was from NDTV's documentary on Para SF training school. The helicopter drops too were from another video that I cannot place from memory. The weapons pictures seem authentic though.
Viv S
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Viv S »

Aditya G wrote:Can anybody clarify what a "column" means?. Is it an establishment or a formation? The video says it was the "zulu column" of the SFF (Gorkha) which participated in Op Bluestar.
A column is roughly about 100 men. Company minus specialist platoons. Used AFAIK when the army is involved in non-military roles, eg. civil policing or disaster relief.
Viv S
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by Viv S »

1 Archer?
vaibhav.n
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Re: Discussion on Indian Special Forces

Post by vaibhav.n »

Sigh!!
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