During
the 1965 Indo-Pak War, an ad hoc commando
unit comprised of volunteers from various infantry
regiments was organized by Lieutenant Colonel
Megh Singh of the Brigade of the Guards. The
unit was nicknamed, Meghdoot Force, and performed
well in combat. Thus in June 1966, the Indian
Government authorised the Parachute Regiment
to form a permanent commando unit.
Known
as the 9th Battalion, it was commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Megh Singh and he used members from
the Meghdoot Force as its backbone. In June
1967 elements of the 9th Battalion, were taken
to form a second commanod unit, designated as
the 10th Battalion, at Gwalior.
However
in July 1967, both units left Gwalior with 9th
Battalion, operating in the northern mountains
and 10th Battalion, operating in the western
desert. In 1969, these battalions were renamed
as the 9 and 10 Para Commando battalions. The
Para Cdo. btns., unlike the Parachute Regiment,
develop a geographical specialization, (i.e.,
desert or mountain warfare) and remained assigned
to that sector.
The
Para Commandos had their first taste of combat
in the 1971 Indo-Pak War where they performed
gallantly. The 9 Para Cdo. experienced combat
in Jammu & Kashmir while 10 Para Cdo. was
baptised in combat in Sindh and in the defence
of Punch and Chachro. The theatre and battle
honours they won in 1971 is a testament to their
bravery.
By
the late 1970s, Indian paratroopers began experimenting
with High-Altitude, Low-Opening (HALO) techniques.
At the same time, the 1 Punjab Regiment was
selected for conversion into the Army's third
Para Cdo. Btn. and designated as the 1 Para
Cdo. However the 1 Para Cdo. has not been assigned
a geographic specialty, and has been designated
as the Parachute Regiment's 'Strategic Reserve'.
Outfitted
for a High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO) parachute
jump, this para commando wears a black jumpsuit,
helmet, wrist altimeter, and square-canopy parachute
with US leaf pattern camouflage cover. He has
a 7.62mm SLR as his primary weapon.
In
the mid-1980s, there were plans of bringing
the three para commando battalions together
under a Special Forces Regiment. However these
plans were abandoned, and the para commandos
continue to be trained and recruited by the
Parachute Regiment.
The
1980s also saw the Para Commandos being involved
in Operation Bluestar, the capture of the Golden
Temple in Punjab. In this mission, the Para
Commandos achieved their goals, but at a high
cost - 17 killed and many others injured. The
late 80s, saw the Indian Army's involvement
in Sri Lanka and soon the Para Commandos, namely
the 9 and 10 Para Cdo., were part of the force.
However,
lack of proper planning by the Indian Peace
Keeping Force (IPKF) and insufficient intelligence
on the LTTE's whereabouts, led the initial heliborne
assault on 11 October 1987 to be a dismal failure.
Six Para Commandos lost their lives in that
mission. After the failed assault into Jaffna
City, 10 Para Cdo. participated in November
1987 for a heliborne assault in the town of
Moolai, 14 miles to the north-wast. 25 guerrillas
were killed and an arms depot sized. In order
to give the commandos battle experience, 10
Para Cdo. was rotated home in early 1988 and
replaced by the 9 Para Cdo.
A
para commando with his Indian 7.62mm SLR with
a US-made night scope.
This
battalion was sheduled to return in June 1988,
but the tour was extended due to a planned air
assault into the coastal swamps around Mullaittivu.
The mission was a great success, in that it
located several arms caches. 9 Para Cdo. also
provided 12 men for the security of the Indian
High Commission in Sri Lanka. With the capture
of Maldives, an island-nation of the coast of
south-western India, on 3 November 1988 by PLOTE
mercenaries, the Para Commandos were once again
called into action. The 10 Para Cdo. along with
the 6 Para Battalion flew in on 4 November 1988
in a fleet of IL-76s, An-32 and An-12 transport
aircraft.
Later
that morning, the 10 Para Cdo. were flown in
by Mi-8 helicopters to the outlying islands
to search for escaping mercenaries. Operation
Cactus as it was called, was successful and
ended without any loss of life for the Para
Commandos or the other Indian troops. The newest
battalion to the Para Commandos is the 21 Maratha
LI who converted to the 21 Para Cdo. on 01 February
1996.
Para
Commandos operate in companies or sometimes
even at the battalion level. They are trained
in special tactics, unarmed combat and
survival in their natural surroundings. In addition
to their primary weapon, they also carry grenades
and jack knives. Parachute training is at Agra.
Para Commandos
are
referred to as the 1, 9, 10 and 21 Parachute
(Special Forces), however they are affectionately
called India's 'Red Devils' and have an unsurpassed
ethos and elan of their own.
The goals of the Para Commandos
are;
•
To also function as
elite battle units of the infantry.
•
To establish commando superiority in
a battle zone.
•
To disrupt enemy operations
by clandestine means.
•
To sabotage enemy
lines of communication via the commando means.
•
To subvert & sabotage
enemy vital areas & points by clandestine
attacks inside enemy lines.
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© BHARAT RAKSHAK.
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