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Showing posts from December 21, 2008

The Indian Special Forces: Dont we need consolidated effort

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Source: Outlookindia army's director general of military operations (DGMO). Within the directorate, Division 8B, headed by a brigadier, which looks after all Special Forces (SF) operations, was immediately put on alert, say army sources. Soon commanding officers of three other SF units—1 Para (SF), 9 Para (SF) and 10 Para (SF)—were similarly alerted. Unfortunately, all three were terribly pressed for manpower, since their men had been committed to counter-terrorist operations in the Valley. another SF unit, much closer to Delhi, stationed next to an airbase in Agra. It even had the planes to transport men. This was 2 Para (SF), designated strategic reserve unit of army HQ. Lidder's recommendations? Some salient points: The tasking/execution of SF operations are unique and handling officers at army HQ are unfamiliar with it. This must change—specialists must take over. SF units now function in isolation. They must come under one professional, unified command with access to the