Indian Special Forces

[Parthu]

Use this thread to post all news, pictures & updates (as well as discussions, debates, observations & opinions - regarding any aspect: personnel, equipment, command structure, training etc.) pertaining to the various Special Operations Forces of India. These mainly comprise of:

Para (Special Forces) (Army)
Marine Commandos/MARCOS (Navy)
Garud Commando Force (Air Force)

...alongside other, lesser-known units such as the Special Frontier Force (SFF) and the still-lesser known Special Group/4 Vikas (SG).

Pic credit: INDRA Networks

Although the National Security Guard (NSG) is a force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, it draws personnel from the Army - and their mission, operating style and equipment make them a particularly interesting force to follow (at least for me) from both a law enforcement & anti-terrorism standpoint. So any content of the kind mentioned above pertaining to the NSG (including the 51 & 52 Special Action Groups and the Special Rangers Group) is to be posted & discussed in this thread, as well.

@Abingdonboy @Hellfire @Vergennes

 

[NKVD]

 

[NKVD]

Nelam, C sector, Thangla - 17 SFF personnel of 16 coy secretly crossed the LaC (line of actual control) and raided a Chinese post. The surprise raid resulted in the death of 2 Chinese troops including an officer according to SFF veteran who was part of that raid.

One of few instances of local tactical level raids by SFF (Special Frontier Force) without formal orders of Indian govt in the 1960s

=========

SFF troop armed with PK General purpose machine gun (GPMG) somewhere in Himalayas

 

[NKVD]

GARUD COMMANDOS IN KASHMIR

 

[NKVD]

Para SF in Whole unit

 

[NKVD]

 

[Parthu]

via INDRA Networks

Garuds...

with MARCOS...

 

[Parthu]

via INDRA Networks

Sherpa MARS ladder platform with 52 SAG for Aircraft Intervention @Abingdonboy

 

[Parthu]

https://twitter.com/x/status/939949592229003266

Screen grabs from the tweeted video : Can't wait to see this on TV!

Thanks to @Abingdonboy !

Great to see the FAB Defense modernization kit for AKs has caught on to the Paras...saw them only once previously (in Para-SF use) at the Special Forces Training School in Nahan during the PATRIOT episode with Maj. Gaurav Arya.
And also...love those hard-knuckle gloves!

 

[indiandragon]

does anyone know how and where to get the "Indias para troopers - earning the badge video in high quality"

 

[Parthu]

via INDRA Networks

MARCOS

Para-SF (rare image of Para M4s with M203 under-barrel grenade launchers, suppressors, EOTech holographic sights, AN/PEQ lasers, and what looks like a PVS-14 Night Vision scope):

Also, these pics of MARCOS at Exercise INDRA-2017 with Russian marine infantry, thanks to Unknowncommando:

Additionally, a new tid-bit - A MARPAT Woodland pattern adopted by NSG for use in areas with prominent foliage:

@Abingdonboy @Vergennes @Hellfire

 

[Parthu]

The first seems to be inside a Ghariyal Class LST and the last - seems that the NSG personnel is wearing some kind of flannel/blend jacket?

It's clearly a mix of MARPAT/Black patches. I'd never seen a shirt like that before.

Speaking of flannels...check the post I tagged you in the Small Arms thread.

 

[Parthu]

We have Olive Green equipment in Army without MARPAT. It is a blend

Since MARPAT is US Marines and everyone finds it 'cool' to emulate their patterns ..... I can not comment much.

As long as it works, I don't care who or what they emulate. In fact I wish they start adopting few Multicam patterns as well - try them out and see how they work in our environments. Para-SF was previously seen using a Multicam combat shirt.

Woodland MARPAT has been in widespread usage in India since last 10 years or so. Paras, Garuds, MARCOS, CRPF, Rashtriya Rifles, heck...even IPS cadets have been seen with it - either as uniform or irregular clothing.

I think MARPAT does the job pretty well.

Also, have a go at these pics of IPS trainees during a visit to Israel (off-topic as these guys are not SFs, but case in point -)

 

[GuardianRED]

via INDRA Networks

MARCOS

Para-SF (rare image of Para M4s with M203 under-barrel grenade launchers, suppressors, EOTech holographic sights, AN/PEQ lasers, and what looks like a PVS-14 Night Vision scope):

Also, these pics of MARCOS at Exercise INDRA-2017 with Russian marine infantry, thanks to Unknowncommando:

Additionally, a new tid-bit - A MARPAT Woodland pattern adopted by NSG for use in areas with prominent foliage:

@Abingdonboy @Vergennes @Hellfire

The Frame next to the UBGL - i do know that is used as a targeting tool for it .

My question is "what is the Technical Term for this"?

 

[Parthu]

The Frame next to the UBGL - i do know that is used as a targeting tool for it .

My question is "what is the Technical Term for this"?

That is a 'Quadrant Sight' as per the best of my knowledge.

^^Pic is of M203 quadrant sight, and is for representation, the one used by MARCOS is not the same model

It is one of the two types of iron sights used for grenade launchers. The other is the more common 'Leaf Sight' - seen on Para-SF Tavors.

^^Again this is an M203 leaf sight - not the same model as used by Para Tavors

 

[Harsh Bardhan]

MARCOS

Para SF

 

[Harsh Bardhan]

Para SF

 

[Parthu]

NSG Enhances Sniping Capabilities of its Commandos
PTI | Updated: Jan 9, 2018, 20:20 IST

NEW DELHI: Elite counter-terror force NSG has bolstered its sniping capabilities so that it can effectively tackle terrorists and other emerging threats to national security, the force's chief said on Tuesday. The 'black cat' commando force has procured new sniper weapons and trained more sharp-shooters in the skill in the recent past and is increasingly using them for special operations, NSG Director General S P Singh said.

"The skill of sniping is a big asset for a commando force like us. We have put a greater stress on this domain," Singh told PTI.

The National Security Guard (NSG), he said, has also procured advanced sniping weapons and has trained more personnel for special tasks. The NSG DG, however, did not quantify the number of NSG commandos trained in the skill. Official sources said while snipers were essentially part of NSG assault teams in operations, their numbers were now being increased and used more frequently.

"So, the next time a counter-terror team is making an intervention where a terrorist is holed up, the snipers would not only give them a good cover but also help in neutralising the target in better time," a senior officer said.

PTI, in February last year, had reported that the force, has upgraded its sniper rifles and inducted the German PSG1 A1, which carries an enhanced number of 20 rounds***** to engage and pin down targets for a longer time and is complemented with longer range and extreme accuracy.

Heckler & Koch PSG-1A1

The 7.2kg rifle with telescopic sight is an upgrade of the PSG1 sniper variant being used by the marksmen of the NSG till recently.

The sniping discipline has also been included for the first time in the 8th All India Police Commando Competition, being hosted by the NSG this time. The competition, involving 25 teams from various state police and paramilitary forces, will begin this weekend at the NSG garrison in Manesar near here.

The DG said the NSG desires that all the security forces of the country have "synergy and inter-operability" when it comes to tackling terror threats and attacks. Singh said the force is "all prepared" to tackle any situation in the run up to the upcoming Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

The NSG was raised in 1986 as the federal contingency force of commandos to counter any variant of terror or hijack threat.

NSG enhances sniping capabilities of its commandos - Times of India

An extract from Wiki regarding the -A1 variant:

" The PSG1A1 variant was introduced by Heckler & Koch in 2006, and features two major improvements. First, the cocking handle was relocated a couple of degrees counter-clockwise. This was due to the fact that when locked rearward, it could physically interfere with the long scopes often used on the rifles. The second modification involved the replacement of the outdated Hensoldt scope. Non-police users often found the scope's 600 m range limitation and simple crosshairs inadequate for their needs. In addition, the rechargeable batteries are difficult to recharge and to find replacements. A final fault is that Hensoldt does not service the scope in the United States. For these reasons, the PSG1A1 has been outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender 3-12×50 Police Marksman II scope, mounted on 34 mm (1.3 in) rings. One last modification involved converting the SG 550 Sniper stock to work with the PSG1. The H&K rifle now has a completely side-folding adjustable target stock removing a solid 10 inches (250 mm) in overall length. To remedy brass ejection a brass catcher must be installed. "

***** NSG already has 20-round magazines for their existing PSG-1s. The extended magazines are not coming exclusively with the -A1 upgrade.

 

[Star Wars]

 

[Ashwin]