DIGITALBIRJESH at 08:11, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T08:11:42Z

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{{refimprove|date=February 2026}}
{{Distinguish|Singapore Armed Forces}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Special Action Force
| nativename = સ્પેશિયલ એક્શન ફોર્સ
| logo =
| abbreviation = SAF
| formed = 2024
| country = India
| map = IN-GJ.svg
| mapcaption = Map of Special Action Force's jurisdiction
| legaljuris = Gujarat
| governingbody = Government Of Gujarat
| police = yes
| local = yes
| headquarters = Gandhinagar
| chief1name = Vikas Sahay, IPS
| chief1position = DGP
| parentagency = Gujarat Police
| website = https://police.gujarat.gov.in/dgp/default.aspx
}}

The '''Special Action Force''' (SAF) is a specialized [[Riot police|anti-riot]] and emergency response force formed under the [[Gujarat Police]]. The force was established in February 2024 to control communal riots, maintain public order during civil unrest and respond quickly to emerging law and order situations across the state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2024-02-21 |title=New cyber crime unit, Special Action Force to be set up in Gujarat: Govt tells Assembly |url=https://theprint.in/india/new-cyber-crime-unit-special-action-force-to-be-set-up-in-gujarat-govt-tells-assembly/1974203/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Govt announces major revamp in Gujarat police department |url=https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/gujarat-government-announces-major-revamp-in-gujarat-police-department |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=english.gujaratsamachar.com |language=en}}</ref>

== History and formation ==
The idea of a Special Action Force was officially announced by Minister of State for Home [[Harsh Sanghavi|Harsh Sanghvi]] during the Budget Session of the [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]] on 21 February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeshGujarat |date=2024-02-21 |title=Gujarat to develop Special Action Force against communal riots: Sanghavi |url=https://deshgujarat.com/2024/02/21/gujarat-to-develop-special-action-force-against-communal-riots-sanghavi/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=DeshGujarat |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New cyber crime unit Special Action Force to be set up in Gujarat Govt tells Assembly |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/02/21/bom23-gj-assembly-home-department.html |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> The unit was formed in response to growing concerns about communal unrest and based on the model of the [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF) of the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] operating at the national level.<ref>{{Cite book |title=ગૃહ વિભાગનું ૨૦૨૪-૨૦૨૫ના વર્ષ માટેનું અંદાજપત |date=February 2, 2024 |publisher=Government of Gujarat |edition=12 |language=Gujarati |trans-title=Budget Estimates of Home Department for 2024–2025}}</ref>

The SAF has been formed from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) unit of [[Gujarat Police]] into two companies, Group-2 [[Ahmedabad]] and Group-11 [[Surat]], whose personnel have been given advanced training in [[riot control]] and emergency response, which equips them to deal with outbreaks of violence and public unrest quickly and efficiently.

== Objectives ==
The main objectives of the Special Action Force are:

* Maintaining peace and public order during [[communal riots]], protests and violent demonstrations.

[[File:Special Action Force (Gujarat Police).jpg|alt=SAF Commandos during Rathyatra 2025|thumb|SAF Commandos during [[Rath Yatra (Ahmedabad)|Rathyatra]] 2025 ]]

* Assisting with security during politically or communally sensitive events and large public gatherings
* To act as a [[Police tactical unit|Quick Response Team]] to handle sensitive law and order situations anywhere in [[Gujarat]].
* Providing special assistance to local police units in handling emergency situations.
* Enhance the overall riot-control capabilities of [[Gujarat Police]] through modern methods and equipment.

== Organizational structure ==
The Special Action Force currently operates as a specialized unit under the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) of [[Gujarat]]. The unit is operational in SRPF Group-2 [[Ahmedabad]] and Group-11 [[Surat]], with plans to expand to other regions of Gujarat based on operational requirements.

== Training and equipment ==
Personnel involved in the Special Action Force have been given advanced training in riot control and maintaining public order, including:
[[File:Saf(gujarat) uniform.png|alt=SAF|thumb|SAF Uniform]]
* [[Crowd control|Crowd management]] and crowd control techniques Use of non-lethal weapons
* Incident-counter-attack and defensive tactics
* Rescue operations in public disorder situations
* Rapid response strategies

The training curriculum is imparted at the RAPO Meerut training centre on the lines of the [[Rapid Action Force]] of the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF), ensuring a professional and effective force in the state police system.

=== Equipment ===
The SAF is equipped with the following equipment:

* [[Water cannon]]s
* Modern riot-control vehicles
* [[Tear gas]] launchers
* Anti-riot protective suits and shields
* [[Body camera]]s and live-feed drones
* Non-lethal weapons and equipment
* Communication and surveillance equipment

This unit operates with a dedicated command and control system for real-time deployment and coordination during emergencies.

== Similar forces from different states ==
The [[Gujarat]] SAF follows a model similar to the [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF) at the national level and is comparable to specialized state-level forces such as the [[Karnataka Police|Karnataka Police's]] Special Action Force (SAF), which was operationalized in June 2025 to manage communal conflicts in the [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Udupi]] regions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Karnataka Special Action Force to restore communal harmony formally launched |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/karnataka-special-action-force-formed-to-restore-communal-harmony-in-three-districts-says-home-minister-g-parameshwara/article69690661.ece |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208130653/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/karnataka-special-action-force-formed-to-restore-communal-harmony-in-three-districts-says-home-minister-g-parameshwara/article69690661.ece |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2026-02-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Communal Peace Drive: Karnataka Launches SAF in Mangaluru to Curb Violence |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-unveils-special-action-force-to-tackle-communal-incidents-3584494 |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

== Effectiveness and Achievements ==
'''Operational history''' Since its establishment in 2024, the SAF has conducted rapid-response operations aimed at maintaining public order during communal tensions and large-scale civic actions:

* '''Vadodara (September 2025):''' Deployed to restore and maintain peace following local unrest sparked by a social media post.
* '''Gandhinagar district (Late 2025):''' Deployed to manage and de-escalate clashes similarly triggered by online disputes.
* '''Rajkot (February 2026):''' Deployed alongside other state security forces to maintain law and order during a major Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) demolition drive targeting over 1,400 illegal structures in the Jangleshwar area along the Aji riverbed.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 February 2026 |title=Rajkot civic body plans mega demolition drive along Aji river bank from Monday |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rajkot-civic-body-mega-demolition-drive-aji-river-bank-10544784/ |access-date=27 February 2026 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2026 |title=Over 1,000 illegal dwellings razed in Jangleshwar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/over-1000-illegal-dwellings-razed-in-jangleshwar/articleshow/128725986.cms |access-date=27 February 2026 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Gujarat Police]]
[[Category:Riot police]]

Special Action Force (India) - Revision history

DIGITALBIRJESH at 08:11, 27 February 2026