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{{Other uses|Special group (disambiguation){{!}}Special group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|Confidential special forces unit of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Special Group
| native_name =
| image = SG-Badge.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Special Group [[insignia]]
| dates = 1981 – present
| country = {{Flag|India}}
| allegiance =
| branch = [[Research and Analysis Wing]]
| type = [[Special forces of India|Special forces]]<ref name=":4" />
| role =
* [[Covert Operations]]
* [[Black operations]]<ref name=":2" /><br />
* [[Black reconnaissance]]
* [[Counterintelligence]]
* [[Direct action (military)|Direct action]]
* [[Espionage]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Extrajudicial execution]]
* [[Extraordinary rendition]]
* [[Hostage rescue]]
* [[Counter Terrorism]]
* [[Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|Human intelligence]]
* [[Irregular warfare]]
* [[Special Operations]]
* [[Manhunt (military)|Manhunt]]
* [[Targeted killing]]
* [[Close Quarters Combat]]
* [[Urban warfare]]

| size = 4 Squadron
| command_structure = [[Research and Analysis Wing]]
| garrison = [[Sarsawa Air Force Station|Sarsawa AFS]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]<ref name=":5" />
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname = ''The Mavericks''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forceindia.net/the-maroon-beret/|title=With added emphasis on Special Forces, the army is set to change the face of war|date=2019-03-18|website=FORCE|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-06}}</ref>
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The '''Special Group''' ('''SG''') is the [[special forces]] unit of [[Research and Analysis Wing]], India's foreign intelligence agency. It is also known as '''4 Vikas''', '''22 SF''' and '''22 SG'''.<ref name="India Today Vats" />{{refn|The Special Group is different from the Vikas battalions of the [[Special Frontier Force]]; the name "4 Vikas" was given to it to create confusion. The designation of "22 SF" was given to the SG when it was deployed in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] (for counter-insurgency operations) to conceal the real name of the unit; obituaries for SG personnel who died carried this name. The number 22 in this designation is in succession with the number 21 in Indian Army‘s [[Para (Special Forces)|21 Para (SF)]].<ref name="India Today Vats" />|group=Note}} The unit is considered to be composed of the most [[elite]] soldiers of India and its responsibilities include conducting those operations with which the [[Government of India|Indian government]] may not wish to be overtly associated.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" />

Established in 1981, the SG was raised in the following year under '''Project Sunray'''. The unit is extremely secretive;<ref name=":0" /> its existence was previously unknown to the public.<ref name=":5" /> SG has reportedly undertaken [[black operations]] outside India. There are a total of 4 SG [[Squadron (army)|squadrons]], with each squadron consisting of four troops. Each troop has a specialized skill-set. SG draws its personnel from all the branches of the Indian military, primarily from the Special Forces.

== History ==

=== Origins ===
The Special Group was created in 1981 as a classified unit of the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) tasked for undertaking [[covert operations]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/special-group-warriors-of-stealth/story-qoVFwEMb9kHXNov80WKQRL.html|title=Special Group: Warriors of stealth|date=9 February 2014|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003085832/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/special-group-warriors-of-stealth/story-qoVFwEMb9kHXNov80WKQRL.html|archive-date=3 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The Directorate General of Security,<ref name=":2" /> which was a confidential organisation created with assistance from the [[CIA]] after the [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962, was put under the control of RAW in 1968. In 1982, ''Project Sunray'' was initiated by the Directorate, under which an officer from the [[Para SF]] of the [[Indian Army]] was tasked to raise a unit comprising 250 personnel.<ref name=":0" /> In early 1983, a group of six personnel were sent to a confidential military base in [[Israel]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20140210-operation-bluestar-indira-gandhi-singh-bhindranwale-army-raw-paramilitary-unit-800036-1999-11-30|title=Operation Bluestar: The league of shadows|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=November 30, 1999|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003085248/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20140210-operation-bluestar-indira-gandhi-singh-bhindranwale-army-raw-paramilitary-unit-800036-1999-11-30|archive-date=3 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref> There they received training from a specialist team of [[Mossad]] for a few weeks.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/operation-blue-star-special-group-commandos-mossad-training-israel-1251738-2018-06-06|title=Israel's invisible hand behind Operation Blue Star of 1984|date=June 6, 2018|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005220039/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/operation-blue-star-special-group-commandos-mossad-training-israel-1251738-2018-06-06|archive-date=5 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref> This team, which had earlier [[Operation Entebbe|rescued hostages]] from [[Uganda|Uganda's]] [[Entebbe airport]] with some assistance from RAW, was composed of commandos from the [[Sayeret Matkal]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />{{refn|Initially, the Special Group contemplated sending its officers to train with the British [[Special Air Service]] at the facility located in [[Hereford]]; SG made this proposal after its officers visited that facility. However, the [[Indian government]] rejected this proposal; SG later decided to stick to its own training facility.<ref name=":0" />|group=Note}}

The original mandate of the SG was similar to that of the British [[Special Air Service]] and included counterterrorism and hostage rescue. However, this mandate was later transferred to the [[National Security Guard]]. The current mandate of the SG is not fully known.<ref name="India Today Vats">{{Cite web|last=Vats|first=Rohit|date=September 7, 2020|title=How India's covert Tibetan unit has been mauling terrorism all these years|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/how-india-covert-tibetan-unit-has-been-mauling-terrorism-all-these-years-1719518-2020-09-07|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>

=== Security at International summits in 1983 ===
The [[Non-Aligned Movement]] summit and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1983 was conducted under the direct vigil of the SG to prevent any untoward event.<ref name=":0" /> The Non-Aligned summit was particularly important since it would cement India's position as the leader of the movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19830331-india-takes-charge-of-non-aligned-movement-with-uncustomary-authority-770551-2013-07-25|title=India takes charge of Non-aligned Movement with uncustomary authority|date=March 31, 1983|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>

=== Operation Sundown ===
{{Main|Operation Sundown}}
''[[Operation Sundown]]'' was the code name of a covert plan in which the Special Group was to abduct Sikh extremist leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] from Guru Nanak Niwas in the [[Golden Temple]] complex, [[Amritsar]].<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indira-gandhi-commando-raid-operation-bluestar-indian-army-golden-temple-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-raw-officials/1/341065.html|title=Indira Gandhi considered secret commando raid before Operation Bluestar|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|publisher=India Today|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313151801/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/indira-gandhi-commando-raid-operation-bluestar-indian-army-golden-temple-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-raw-officials/1/341065.html|archive-date=13 March 2016|access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> A unit was formed to prepare for Operation Sundown in the [[Sarsawa Air Force Base]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name=":6" /> In December 1983, an officer from the Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Wing of the British [[Special Air Service]] arrived in India to provide advice regarding the plan. Extensive rehearsals were also carried out.<ref name=":6" /><ref name="TH_Mi6" /><ref name=":2" />

The operation was never started due to the then [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Indira Gandhi]]'s rejection on religious grounds; the operation may have hurt the religious sentiments of the [[Sikh]] people. In addition there was a risk of numerous civilian casualties as a [[collateral damage]] of the operation.<ref name="gill2017punjab">{{cite book |last1=Gill |first1=K.P.S. and Khosla, S |title=Punjab: The Enemies Within : Travails of a Wounded Land Riddled with Toxins |date=2017 |publisher=Bookwise (India) Pvt. Limited |isbn=9788187330660 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n3zHAQAACAAJ}} [http://www.jantakareporter.com/blog/operation-blue-star-bhindranwale/123753/ Excerpt]</ref><ref name=":6" />

Other options such as negotiations subsequently failed and the law and order situation in Punjab continued to deteriorate.<ref name="gill2017punjab"/><ref name="TH_Mi6">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raw-chief-consulted-mi6-in-buildup-to-operation-bluestar/article5579516.ece|title=RAW chief consulted MI6 in build-up to Operation Bluestar|last=Swami|first=Praveen|date=16 January 2014|access-date=6 October 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106222924/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/RAW-chief-consulted-MI6-in-build-up-to-Operation-Bluestar/article11497124.ece|archive-date=6 January 2019|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Singh|first=Parmjeet|title=Operation Sundown – Plan to abduct Sant Bhindranwale from Guru Nanak Niwas in Dec. 1983 – More chapters of black history of India coming into light|date=February 2014|url=http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2014/02/01/operation-sundown-plan-to-abduct-sant-bhindranwale-from-guru-nanak-niwas-in-dec-1983-more-chapters-of-black-history-of-india-coming-into-light/|publisher=Sikh Siyasat News|access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Operation Blue Star ===
{{Main|Operation Blue Star}}
{{external media
| float = right
| width =
| image1 = [https://smedia2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/2014FEB/bluestar-7_650_020114012407.jpg Two Special Group officers at the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star].<ref name=":0" /> Note the distinctive black uniforms<ref name=":1" /> and the damaged structure in the background.
}}
By the end of 1983, the security situation in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] was worsening due to the erupting [[Khalistan movement|separatist militancy]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/08/magazine/the-punjab-torn-by-terror.html|title=The Punjab: Torn by Terror|last=Gupte|first=Pranay|date=1985-09-08|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Operation Blue Star'' was the code name of the Indian military action carried out between 1 and 8 June 1984 to remove militant religious leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and his followers from the buildings of the [[Harmandir Sahib]] (Golden Temple) complex in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Operation-Blue-Star-%E2%80%94-the-untold-story/article14388205.ece|title=Operation Blue Star — the untold story|last=Dogra|first=Chander Suta|date=2013-06-10|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-10-05|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A few days before the operation began, the Special Group arrived in Amritsar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/raw-facilitated-britain-s-sas-officer-s-india-visit/story-YftByTMwvkclMzdWbvKFRP.html|title=RAW facilitated Britain's SAS officer's India visit|date=2014-01-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref> The Special Group was tasked to create an executable plan for this.<ref name=":2" />

A senior officer from the British [[Special Air Service]] was secretly recruited to provide advice for this plan to the SG,<ref name=":4" /> after being cleared by then British PM [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-25723875|title=India Golden Temple: UK investigates 'SAS link' to attack|date=2014-01-14|work=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=2019-11-07|language=en-GB}}</ref> A group of SG personnel clad in black uniforms, armed with [[AK-47]] rifles and [[Night vision goggle]]s, began the assault on 6 June 1984.<ref name=":1" />

The Special Group was responsible for the eventual death of [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and [[Shabeg Singh]] during Operation Blue Star, despite the [[Para (Special Forces)|1 Para (SF)]] claiming credit for it.<ref name=":5" /> This is associated with the fact that they were shot dead using [[AK-47]] rifles. Such rifles, which were purchased secretly from [[Europe]], were present exclusively with the SG at that time.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/covert-operations.html|title=Close encounters of the covert kind|date=October 9, 2016|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821160929/https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/covert-operations.html|archive-date=21 August 2019|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>

=== Prime Ministerial security till 1985 ===
In the aftermath of the [[Assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi]] in 1984, SG personnel provided security to the [[Prime Minister of India]] until the creation of the [[Special Protection Group]] in 1985.<ref name=":0" />

===Black operations===
The Special Group has undertaken [[black operation]]s outside India.<ref name=":5" /> In the late 1980s, it rescued a [[political prisoner]] in [[Bangladesh]] after being ordered to do so by the [[Prime Minister of India]].<ref name=":5" /> After a [[Sri Lankan Civil War|civil war]] started in [[Sri Lanka]] in 1983, India used it as an opportunity to curtail foreign influence in the country; India provided training and equipment to the militant groups fighting in the war.<ref name="civilwar">{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKCOL223047|title=FACTBOX-India's role in Sri Lanka's civil war|date=2008-10-17|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2019-10-11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128054430/https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKCOL223047|archive-date=28 November 2018|language=en}}</ref> The Special Group was involved in providing training assistance to the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]],<ref name=":5" /> the most prominent militant group.<ref name=civilwar />

===Planned raid near Kahuta nuclear facility===
During the 1999 [[Kargil war]], the Indian government had planned a raid near the [[Kahuta]] [[Khan Research Laboratories|nuclear facility]] in [[Pakistan]] and had asked the Special Group to prepare for it. Ultimately, however, the raid was called off.<ref name=":5" />

=== Planned operation in Kandahar, Afghanistan ===
When the [[Indian Airlines Flight 814|Indian Airlines flight 814]] was forced by hijackers to land in [[Kandahar]], Afghanistan, the SG was instructed to be ready for a potential rescue effort. Their mission was to clear a path for the [[National Security Guard]] to enable them to reach the aircraft and conduct an anti-hijacking operation. The plan entailed eliminating the members of the [[Taliban]] in the vicinity of the aircraft. However, public pressure eventually forced the Indian government to scrap the plan.<ref name=":5" /> The government agreed to the demand of the hijackers to swap imprisoned militants in exchange for the civilian passengers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Subramanian|first=Nirupama|date=2011-03-23|title=India sought help in IC-814 case; FBI said 'no fishing'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/India-sought-help-in-IC-814-case-FBI-said-lsquono-fishingrsquo/article14958639.ece|access-date=2020-06-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

===Counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir===
The Special Group are known to be involved in the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|ongoing counter-insurgency]] operations in the [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] region across the [[Line of Control]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" />

== Overview ==
=== Organisation ===
[[File:Special Group command structure.png|thumb|A diagram showing the command structure of SG]]
The Special Group functions under the Directorate General of Security (DG Security) of [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW), which is India's foreign [[intelligence agency]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-to-hold-charge-of-dg-security/articleshow/46640678.cms|title=RAW chief Rajinder Khanna to hold charge of DG Security|date=2015-03-21|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2019-10-05|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006191000/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-to-hold-charge-of-dg-security/articleshow/46640678.cms|archive-date=6 October 2019}}</ref> The unit serves under the command of the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] through the [[Cabinet Secretariat (India)|Cabinet Secretariat]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /> Within RAW, the Secretary (Research) is responsible for the Special Group.<ref name="India Today 4 Vikas">{{cite web|last1=Unnithan|first1=Sandeep|date=5 September 2020|others=See [https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/bodyeditor/202009/thumbnail_SFF_Graphic-1200x1280.jpg?zqNvYTCCFTjn5H3KKPkgLreaCQ6nD4px graphic] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200907192839/https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/bodyeditor/202009/thumbnail_SFF_Graphic-1200x1280.jpg?zqNvYTCCFTjn5H3KKPkgLreaCQ6nD4px archived copy]).|title=The Tibetan ghost warriors|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/20200914-the-tibetan-ghost-warriors-1718584-2020-09-05|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907192101/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/20200914-the-tibetan-ghost-warriors-1718584-2020-09-05|archive-date=7 September 2020|access-date=6 September 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>

The SG is primarily based at [[Chakrata]] in the state of [[Uttarakhand]] and [[Sarsawa]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], where it is headquartered.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /> Its personnel are volunteers recruited from all the branches of the [[Indian Armed Forces]], primarily from the [[Special Forces]].<ref name="India Today 4 Vikas" /> After serving in the SG on deputation, its personnel return to their original units.<ref name="India Today Vats" /> SG personnel are distributed in three to four companies.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> An SG team is kept on high alert for contingencies round the clock. There are a total of 4 SG [[Squadron (army)|squadrons]], with each squadron consisting of four troops. Each troop has a specialized skill-set. The SG has dedicated branches specialising in intelligence gathering, operational planning, communications and training.<ref name=":2" />

=== Responsibilities ===
The responsibilities of the Special Group includes clandestine intelligence operations and [[covert operations]], with which the [[Government of India]] may not wish to be overtly associated.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> The SG is also responsible for developing tactics and training procedures for [[Special Forces of India|other special forces]] of India.<ref name=":2" />

=== Training and equipment ===
The Special Group is considered to be the most capably trained [[special forces]] unit of India and is considered to be very well equipped.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> The SG is reportedly provided with the newest equipment and it uses the transport aircraft of the [[Aviation Research Centre]].<ref name="India Today Vats" />

== See also ==

* [[Research and Analysis Wing]]
* [[Special Frontier Force]]
* [[Special Forces of India]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Special Group}}

[[Category:Indian intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Non-military counterterrorist organizations]]
[[Category:Information sensitivity]]
[[Category:Foreign intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War]]
[[Category:Research and Analysis Wing]]
[[Category:Special forces of India]]
[[Category:Airborne units and formations]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1981]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1981]]

Special Group (India) - Revision history

AndrewJordan: slightly improve section per sources and updated info

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.