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{{short description|Indian Army special operations force}} | {{short description|Indian Army special operations force}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
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* [[Special Reconnaissance]] | * [[Special Reconnaissance]] | ||
<ref> | <ref> | ||
{{cite web|url=http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/home.html|title=Welcome to The Parachute Regiment|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709093909/http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/home.html|archive-date=9 July | {{cite web|url=http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/home.html|title=Welcome to The Parachute Regiment|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709093909/http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/home.html|archive-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> | ||
| size = [[Parachute Regiment (India)#Strength|15 battalions]] | | size = [[Parachute Regiment (India)#Strength|15 battalions]] | ||
| command_structure = [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] | | command_structure = [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] | ||
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In 1978, the 1 Para, as an experiment, was converted to become the first special forces unit of the Indian army, and was kept as the tactical reserve. Already a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation twice, and the [[General officer commanding|GOC-in-C]] Eastern Command Unit Citation once, the unit was originally 1 Punjab, which was later re-designated as 1 PARA (Punjab) and in 1978 was converted to 1 PARA (SF). | In 1978, the 1 Para, as an experiment, was converted to become the first special forces unit of the Indian army, and was kept as the tactical reserve. Already a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation twice, and the [[General officer commanding|GOC-in-C]] Eastern Command Unit Citation once, the unit was originally 1 Punjab, which was later re-designated as 1 PARA (Punjab) and in 1978 was converted to 1 PARA (SF). | ||
On 15 January 1992, the Parachute Regiment Training Centre along with the Records and PAO (OR), and the Para Regiment, moved to Bangalore and occupied the erstwhile location of Pioneer Corps and Training Centre. Bangalore is the new Key Location Project of the centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/history.htm|title=Welcome to The Parachute Regiment|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729190919/http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/history.htm|archive-date=29 July | On 15 January 1992, the Parachute Regiment Training Centre along with the Records and PAO (OR), and the Para Regiment, moved to Bangalore and occupied the erstwhile location of Pioneer Corps and Training Centre. Bangalore is the new Key Location Project of the centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/history.htm|title=Welcome to The Parachute Regiment|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729190919/http://www.indianparachuteregiment.kar.nic.in/history.htm|archive-date=29 July 2016}}</ref> | ||
1995 saw the formation of the fourth commando battalion when [[Maratha Light Infantry|21 Maratha Light Infantry]] was selected to convert to special forces and slated for the Eastern Command. After a stringent selection and training process that spanned more than a year, on 1 February 1996, the unit under Colonel VB Shinde, was formally inducted as the 21st Battalion (Special Forces), The Parachute Regiment. The unit has done well in its short lifespan and is the proud recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation thrice (1992, 2006 and 2011) and the GOC-in-C Eastern Command Unit Citation twice (2008 and 2016), as well as a host of individual gallantry awards. Most notable operations being in the Loktak Lake of Manipur. With the changing scenario in military operations and the need for more special forces units, 2 Para began the conversion process from parachute to special forces role, followed closely by the 3rd Para and the 4th Para in the year 2004 and 2005. Further 11th Para (SF) in 2011, 12th Para (SF) in 2013 and 13th Para (SF) in 2022 were raised from within the strength of the regiment to augment the strength of the existing Special Forces battalions. In 2022, 5th Para, 6th Para, 7th Para, 23rd Para and 29th Para, the airborne punch of Indian Army was redesignated and were given the specialist role with dual tasking of Airborne as well as the special tasks giving a significant boost to operational capability of Indian Army.<ref name="twit1">{{Cite tweet |user=suryacommand |number=1548323994385821696|title=In a significant boost to operational capability, airborne battalions converted to a specialist role having honed their skills over two gruelling months that culminated in a validation over seven days.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://iadnews.in/the-13th-para-sf-battalion-raised/|title=The 13th Para SF Battalion Raised|publisher=iadnews.in|date=April 2022|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> | 1995 saw the formation of the fourth commando battalion when [[Maratha Light Infantry|21 Maratha Light Infantry]] was selected to convert to special forces and slated for the Eastern Command. After a stringent selection and training process that spanned more than a year, on 1 February 1996, the unit under Colonel VB Shinde, was formally inducted as the 21st Battalion (Special Forces), The Parachute Regiment. The unit has done well in its short lifespan and is the proud recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation thrice (1992, 2006 and 2011) and the GOC-in-C Eastern Command Unit Citation twice (2008 and 2016), as well as a host of individual gallantry awards. Most notable operations being in the Loktak Lake of Manipur. With the changing scenario in military operations and the need for more special forces units, 2 Para began the conversion process from parachute to special forces role, followed closely by the 3rd Para and the 4th Para in the year 2004 and 2005. Further 11th Para (SF) in 2011, 12th Para (SF) in 2013 and 13th Para (SF) in 2022 were raised from within the strength of the regiment to augment the strength of the existing Special Forces battalions. In 2022, 5th Para, 6th Para, 7th Para, 23rd Para and 29th Para, the airborne punch of Indian Army was redesignated and were given the specialist role with dual tasking of Airborne as well as the special tasks giving a significant boost to operational capability of Indian Army.<ref name="twit1">{{Cite tweet |user=suryacommand |number=1548323994385821696|title=In a significant boost to operational capability, airborne battalions converted to a specialist role having honed their skills over two gruelling months that culminated in a validation over seven days.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://iadnews.in/the-13th-para-sf-battalion-raised/|title=The 13th Para SF Battalion Raised|publisher=iadnews.in|date=April 2022|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> | ||
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====Operation Mandhol==== | ====Operation Mandhol==== | ||
Operation Mandhol was a [[Raid (military)|raid]] carried out by soldiers from the 9 Para (SF) to seek and destroy Pakistani [[artillery]] located in hostile territory near a village called Mandole. During the operation, aided by an artillery officer Capt. D Tyagi from [[195 Medium Regiment (India)|195 Mountain Regiment]], six artillery guns were destroyed by a raiding team composed of six officers and around 120 soldiers led by Major C. M. Malhotra.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2FM3AgAAQBAJ&q=D+tyagi+mandhol&pg=PT33 |title=India's Special Forces: History and Future of Special Forces |isbn=9789382573975 |last=Datta |first=Saikat |year= | Operation Mandhol was a [[Raid (military)|raid]] carried out by soldiers from the 9 Para (SF) to seek and destroy Pakistani [[artillery]] located in hostile territory near a village called Mandole. During the operation, aided by an artillery officer Capt. D Tyagi from [[195 Medium Regiment (India)|195 Mountain Regiment]], six artillery guns were destroyed by a raiding team composed of six officers and around 120 soldiers led by Major C. M. Malhotra.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2FM3AgAAQBAJ&q=D+tyagi+mandhol&pg=PT33 |title=India's Special Forces: History and Future of Special Forces |isbn=9789382573975 |last=Datta |first=Saikat |year=2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indianpolitics.co.in/how-indian-parachute-commandos-destroyed-complete-pakistan-artillery-battery-at-mandhol-and-saved-poonch/|title=How Indian Parachute Commandos Destroyed Complete Pakistan Artillery Battery at Mandhol and Saved Poonch | Indian Politics}}</ref> The special forces raiders began their operation at 5.30 PM on 13 December 1971. They started off from [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]] and crossed the [[Poonch River]]. After they reached the Mandole village, they started searching for the artillery guns and eventually located them. The raiders divided themselves into six teams. Each one of the six team was tasked to destroy one of the six guns. Subsequently, an intense [[gunfight]] took place between the Indian raiders and [[Pakistan Army]] soldiers. The gunfight resulted in two Indian casualties and many Pakistani casualties, with some Pakistani soldiers escaping from the battle. Finally, the raiders destroyed all the artillery using explosives and returned to their base at 6.30 AM on 14 December 1971.<ref name="mandhol">{{cite news |title=Operation 'Mandhol' forced Pakistan to change war plan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Operation-Mandhol-forced-Pakistan-to-change-war-plan/articleshow/27444282.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=27 February 2020 |date=16 December 2013}}</ref> | ||
This operation caused the Pakistan military to tweak its military doctrine by assigning additional soldiers for defending artillery guns. [[Pakistan Army]] officials, who came to India as a delegation after the war had ended, acknowledged the raid. Operation Mandhol is now a part of the syllabus at the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="mandhol" /> | This operation caused the Pakistan military to tweak its military doctrine by assigning additional soldiers for defending artillery guns. [[Pakistan Army]] officials, who came to India as a delegation after the war had ended, acknowledged the raid. Operation Mandhol is now a part of the syllabus at the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="mandhol" /> | ||
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===Operation Bluestar 1984=== | ===Operation Bluestar 1984=== | ||
[[File:Operation Blue Star.jpg|thumb|1 Para (SF) during Operation Blue Star]] | [[File:Operation Blue Star.jpg|thumb|1 Para (SF) during Operation Blue Star]] | ||
In 1984 the Para (SF) were involved in [[Operation Blue Star]]. They were charged to lead an attack to evict Sikh militants hiding inside the Holy Site of the Sikh religion the [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]] [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. 80 members of 1 Para (SF) were given the task of assaulting two areas of the temple, one of which required divers. However, there were a number of setbacks as a result of inaccurate intelligence on the strength of the militants who were trained by Gen. [[Shabeg Singh]] (ex-1 Para himself), operating in low light, the conventional manner of the raid, and the lack of incentive, all of which resulted in a mission failure. The diver mission was aborted after the first team got bogged down. The commandos accompanied by Raghunath Dubey achieved their aims after a gunfight with militants that lasted hours.<ref name="Katoch">{{cite web |title=Interview Lt Gen P.C. Katoch on Operation Blue Star |date=2 June 2014 |url=https://www.livemint.com/Multimedia/DC77Am1wEmCHfqzfxoYjnM/Lt-Gen-PC-Katoch-on-Operation-Blue-Star.html |publisher=The Mint - 4 |access-date=11 June | In 1984 the Para (SF) were involved in [[Operation Blue Star]]. They were charged to lead an attack to evict Sikh militants hiding inside the Holy Site of the Sikh religion the [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]] [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. 80 members of 1 Para (SF) were given the task of assaulting two areas of the temple, one of which required divers. However, there were a number of setbacks as a result of inaccurate intelligence on the strength of the militants who were trained by Gen. [[Shabeg Singh]] (ex-1 Para himself), operating in low light, the conventional manner of the raid, and the lack of incentive, all of which resulted in a mission failure. The diver mission was aborted after the first team got bogged down. The commandos accompanied by Raghunath Dubey achieved their aims after a gunfight with militants that lasted hours.<ref name="Katoch">{{cite web |title=Interview Lt Gen P.C. Katoch on Operation Blue Star |date=2 June 2014 |url=https://www.livemint.com/Multimedia/DC77Am1wEmCHfqzfxoYjnM/Lt-Gen-PC-Katoch-on-Operation-Blue-Star.html |publisher=The Mint - 4 |access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
===Sri Lanka 1987=== | ===Sri Lanka 1987=== | ||
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===Counter-terrorist operation in Samba=== | ===Counter-terrorist operation in Samba=== | ||
On 26 September 2013, terrorists dressed in Army fatigues stormed a police station and then an Army camp in the Jammu region killing 10 people, including an Army officer, in twin ''[[fidayeen]]'' attacks. The terrorists sneaked across the border early on Thursday, barely three days ahead of a meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan. The attack was on a police station. The 16 Cavalry unit of the Army in Samba district falls under the jurisdiction of 9 corps, headquartered at Yol Cantonment in Himachal Pradesh. The three heavily armed terrorists, believed to be from the group [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT), were holed up in the cavalry armored unit's camp at Samba for several hours after they barged into the Officers mess, until they were killed during a fierce gunfight with 1 Para (SF) of the army. The bodies of the three terrorists aged between 16 and 19 were in the custody of the Army.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Court-of-inquiry-ordered-into-terror-attack-on-army-camp-in-Samba/articleshow/23267341.cms|title=Court of inquiry ordered into terror attack on army camp in Samba |website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929133303/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Court-of-inquiry-ordered-into-terror-attack-on-army-camp-in-Samba/articleshow/23267341.cms|archive-date=29 September | On 26 September 2013, terrorists dressed in Army fatigues stormed a police station and then an Army camp in the Jammu region killing 10 people, including an Army officer, in twin ''[[fidayeen]]'' attacks. The terrorists sneaked across the border early on Thursday, barely three days ahead of a meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan. The attack was on a police station. The 16 Cavalry unit of the Army in Samba district falls under the jurisdiction of 9 corps, headquartered at Yol Cantonment in Himachal Pradesh. The three heavily armed terrorists, believed to be from the group [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT), were holed up in the cavalry armored unit's camp at Samba for several hours after they barged into the Officers mess, until they were killed during a fierce gunfight with 1 Para (SF) of the army. The bodies of the three terrorists aged between 16 and 19 were in the custody of the Army.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Court-of-inquiry-ordered-into-terror-attack-on-army-camp-in-Samba/articleshow/23267341.cms|title=Court of inquiry ordered into terror attack on army camp in Samba |website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929133303/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Court-of-inquiry-ordered-into-terror-attack-on-army-camp-in-Samba/articleshow/23267341.cms|archive-date=29 September 2013}}</ref> | ||
Authorities moved commandos of 1 Para (SF) in helicopters to the shootout site. The Para (SF) commandos first carried out an aerial reconnaissance of the camp before landing to neutralize the three terrorists. The 1 Para (SF) had identified the exact spot during the aerial reconnaissance from where the intruders were returning the army fire. After landing, the commandos started engaging the terrorists in a direct gunfight, but in order to give them an impression that their exact hiding location had still not been identified, an abandoned building inside the camp was blasted. This made the terrorists complacent thinking that their hiding spot had not been yet been pin-pointed. They kept on intermittently returning army fire until all three of them were eliminated. The entire operation, from the moment the terrorists entered the camp until they were gunned down, took nearly nine hours to complete. The main worry of the soldiers tasked to eliminate the terrorists was the Army Public School situated some distance from the place where the terrorists had been engaged in a sustained firefight. Army men were worried about the possibility of the terrorists moving into the school and taking children and staff as hostage. For this reason, the operation to eliminate the terrorists was carried out with extreme caution and patience.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/battle-of-samba-how-army-subdued-fidayeens-113092700627_1.html|title=Battle of Samba: How army subdued fidayeens|last=IANS|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=27 September 2013|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816185331/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/battle-of-samba-how-army-subdued-fidayeens-113092700627_1.html|archive-date=16 August | Authorities moved commandos of 1 Para (SF) in helicopters to the shootout site. The Para (SF) commandos first carried out an aerial reconnaissance of the camp before landing to neutralize the three terrorists. The 1 Para (SF) had identified the exact spot during the aerial reconnaissance from where the intruders were returning the army fire. After landing, the commandos started engaging the terrorists in a direct gunfight, but in order to give them an impression that their exact hiding location had still not been identified, an abandoned building inside the camp was blasted. This made the terrorists complacent thinking that their hiding spot had not been yet been pin-pointed. They kept on intermittently returning army fire until all three of them were eliminated. The entire operation, from the moment the terrorists entered the camp until they were gunned down, took nearly nine hours to complete. The main worry of the soldiers tasked to eliminate the terrorists was the Army Public School situated some distance from the place where the terrorists had been engaged in a sustained firefight. Army men were worried about the possibility of the terrorists moving into the school and taking children and staff as hostage. For this reason, the operation to eliminate the terrorists was carried out with extreme caution and patience.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/battle-of-samba-how-army-subdued-fidayeens-113092700627_1.html|title=Battle of Samba: How army subdued fidayeens|last=IANS|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=27 September 2013|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816185331/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/battle-of-samba-how-army-subdued-fidayeens-113092700627_1.html|archive-date=16 August 2016}}</ref> | ||
===2015 Counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar=== | ===2015 Counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar=== | ||
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Based on precise intelligence inputs, the Indian Air Force and 21 Para (SF) carried a cross-border operation along the Indo-Myanmar border and destroyed two militant camps one each of the [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland]] (K) (NSCN) and the [[Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup]] (KYKL). The operations were carried out inside Myanmar, along the [[Nagaland]] and [[Manipur]] border at two locations. One of the locations was near Ukhrul in Manipur. The army attacked two militants' transit camps. | Based on precise intelligence inputs, the Indian Air Force and 21 Para (SF) carried a cross-border operation along the Indo-Myanmar border and destroyed two militant camps one each of the [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland]] (K) (NSCN) and the [[Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup]] (KYKL). The operations were carried out inside Myanmar, along the [[Nagaland]] and [[Manipur]] border at two locations. One of the locations was near Ukhrul in Manipur. The army attacked two militants' transit camps. | ||
70 commandos were reportedly involved in the operation. The commandos, equipped with assault rifles, rocket launchers, grenades and night vision goggles, were divided into two groups. The teams trekked through the thick jungles for at least {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=off}} before they reached training camps. Each of the teams was further divided into two sub-groups. While one was responsible for the direct assault, the second formed an outer ring to prevent any of insurgents from running and escaping. The actual operation (hitting the camp and destroying it) took about 40 minutes. Indian Air Force [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopters were put on standby, ready to be pressed into service to evacuate the commandos in case anything went wrong. In its statement after the operation, the Indian Army said it was in communication with Myanmar and that, "There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism."<ref name="zeenews.india.com">{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|title=70 commandos involved in Myanmar operation|date=10 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002165514/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|archive-date=2 October | 70 commandos were reportedly involved in the operation. The commandos, equipped with assault rifles, rocket launchers, grenades and night vision goggles, were divided into two groups. The teams trekked through the thick jungles for at least {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=off}} before they reached training camps. Each of the teams was further divided into two sub-groups. While one was responsible for the direct assault, the second formed an outer ring to prevent any of insurgents from running and escaping. The actual operation (hitting the camp and destroying it) took about 40 minutes. Indian Air Force [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopters were put on standby, ready to be pressed into service to evacuate the commandos in case anything went wrong. In its statement after the operation, the Indian Army said it was in communication with Myanmar and that, "There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism."<ref name="zeenews.india.com">{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|title=70 commandos involved in Myanmar operation|date=10 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002165514/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/70-commandos-involved-in-myanmar-operation_1611063.html|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> | ||
The Indian Army claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties (158 reported)<ref name="zeenews.india.com"/> on the attackers behind the ambush of the Army on 4 June, which claimed the lives of 18 Army jawans (soldiers) of 6 Dogra Regiment from the Chandel district of Manipur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|title=NSCN (K) camps busted along Indo-Myanmar border|date=9 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062127/http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|archive-date=4 March | The Indian Army claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties (158 reported)<ref name="zeenews.india.com"/> on the attackers behind the ambush of the Army on 4 June, which claimed the lives of 18 Army jawans (soldiers) of 6 Dogra Regiment from the Chandel district of Manipur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|title=NSCN (K) camps busted along Indo-Myanmar border|date=9 June 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062127/http://thenortheasttoday.com/nscn-k-camps-busted-along-indo-myanmar-border/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> This has been noted as the largest attack on the Indian Army after the [[Kargil war]] of 1999. | ||
===Cross-LoC surgical strikes 2016=== | ===Cross-LoC surgical strikes 2016=== | ||
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Intelligence gathering had started a few weeks prior, through drones, satellites and various other Indian assets, on 26 September 2016, small recon teams were given the task to infiltrate across the LoC, to carry out a 24 hour surveillance of the targets and to put together the best possible infiltration and exfiltration routes through the heavily mined and manned border in the world, the LoC. The intelligence was so strong that it's reported that the hit squads knew the names of the [[Fidayeen attack|fidayeens]] at the launch pads. On return of the recon team, plans were laid down for the assault, and on 29 September 2016, India attacked the strike targeted areas across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC), where militants congregate for their final briefings before sneaking across into India. An Indian security source said the operation began with Indian forces firing artillery across the frontier to provide cover for three to four teams of 70–80 para SF commandos from 4 and 9 Para (Special Forces) to cross the LoC at several points shortly after midnight IST on 29 September (18:30 hours UTC, 28 Sept.). Teams from 4 Para SF crossed the LoC in the Nowgam sector of [[Kupwara district]], with teams from 9 Para SF simultaneously crossing the LoC in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch district]].<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-inside strike-2|[2]]] [[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-says hits-16|[16]]]</sup> By 2 a.m. IST, according to army sources, the special forces teams had travelled {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} – {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} on foot, the teams began the assault, with hand-held grenades and 84 mm rocket launchers destroying the ammo and the fuel dumps at the launch pads. Simultaneously, the sniping and assault teams opened fire, killing the terrorists at sight and those who tried to make a run. At first light, the teams swiftly returned to the Indian side of the LoC, suffering only one injury, a soldier wounded after tripping a land mine.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-inside strike-2|[2]]]</sup> | Intelligence gathering had started a few weeks prior, through drones, satellites and various other Indian assets, on 26 September 2016, small recon teams were given the task to infiltrate across the LoC, to carry out a 24 hour surveillance of the targets and to put together the best possible infiltration and exfiltration routes through the heavily mined and manned border in the world, the LoC. The intelligence was so strong that it's reported that the hit squads knew the names of the [[Fidayeen attack|fidayeens]] at the launch pads. On return of the recon team, plans were laid down for the assault, and on 29 September 2016, India attacked the strike targeted areas across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC), where militants congregate for their final briefings before sneaking across into India. An Indian security source said the operation began with Indian forces firing artillery across the frontier to provide cover for three to four teams of 70–80 para SF commandos from 4 and 9 Para (Special Forces) to cross the LoC at several points shortly after midnight IST on 29 September (18:30 hours UTC, 28 Sept.). Teams from 4 Para SF crossed the LoC in the Nowgam sector of [[Kupwara district]], with teams from 9 Para SF simultaneously crossing the LoC in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch district]].<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-inside strike-2|[2]]] [[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-says hits-16|[16]]]</sup> By 2 a.m. IST, according to army sources, the special forces teams had travelled {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} – {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} on foot, the teams began the assault, with hand-held grenades and 84 mm rocket launchers destroying the ammo and the fuel dumps at the launch pads. Simultaneously, the sniping and assault teams opened fire, killing the terrorists at sight and those who tried to make a run. At first light, the teams swiftly returned to the Indian side of the LoC, suffering only one injury, a soldier wounded after tripping a land mine.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-inside strike-2|[2]]]</sup> | ||
The Indian army said the strike was a [[Preemptive war|pre-emptive]] attack on the militants' bases, claiming that it had received intelligence that the militants were planning "terrorist strikes" against India.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-BBC2-36|[36]]] [[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-NYT-37|[37]]]</sup> India said that, in destroying "terrorist infrastructure" it also attacked "those who are trying to support them," indicating it also attacked Pakistani soldiers.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-Panda-48|[48]]]</sup> India later briefed opposition parties and foreign envoys, but did not disclose operational details.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-says hits-16|[16]]]</sup> The footage from the strike captured by overhead drones and thermal imaging was released to the media afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-releases-new-video-of-2016-surgical-strikes/articleshow/65983661.cms|title=Govt releases new video of 2016 surgical strikes|date=27 September 2018|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=5 February | The Indian army said the strike was a [[Preemptive war|pre-emptive]] attack on the militants' bases, claiming that it had received intelligence that the militants were planning "terrorist strikes" against India.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-BBC2-36|[36]]] [[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-NYT-37|[37]]]</sup> India said that, in destroying "terrorist infrastructure" it also attacked "those who are trying to support them," indicating it also attacked Pakistani soldiers.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-Panda-48|[48]]]</sup> India later briefed opposition parties and foreign envoys, but did not disclose operational details.<sup>[[2016 India–Pakistan military confrontation#cite note-says hits-16|[16]]]</sup> The footage from the strike captured by overhead drones and thermal imaging was released to the media afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-releases-new-video-of-2016-surgical-strikes/articleshow/65983661.cms|title=Govt releases new video of 2016 surgical strikes|date=27 September 2018|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> It was also informed that around 40-50 militants were killed and many more injured in one of the surgical strikes. | ||
However, the [[Pakistan army]] dismissed India's claim, and instead claimed that Indian troops had not crossed the LoC but had only skirmished with Pakistani troops at the border, resulting in the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers and the wounding of nine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/209883/20161004/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-army-un-kashmir.htm|title=UN: No evidence of surgical strikes in India, Pakistan border|date=4 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218165702/http://www.hngn.com/articles/209883/20161004/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-army-un-kashmir.htm|archive-date=18 December | However, the [[Pakistan army]] dismissed India's claim, and instead claimed that Indian troops had not crossed the LoC but had only skirmished with Pakistani troops at the border, resulting in the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers and the wounding of nine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/209883/20161004/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-army-un-kashmir.htm|title=UN: No evidence of surgical strikes in India, Pakistan border|date=4 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218165702/http://www.hngn.com/articles/209883/20161004/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-army-un-kashmir.htm|archive-date=18 December 2016}}</ref> | ||
=== 2020 India-China border tensions === | === 2020 India-China border tensions === | ||
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[[File:Para SF operator with US special forces 2019.jpg|thumb|Para SF with US special forces during Vajraprahar 2019]] | [[File:Para SF operator with US special forces 2019.jpg|thumb|Para SF with US special forces during Vajraprahar 2019]] | ||
[[File:1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers train with Para SF during Vajra Prahar 2018.jpg|thumb|Para SF train alongside US special forces during Vajra Prahar 2018]] | [[File:1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers train with Para SF during Vajra Prahar 2018.jpg|thumb|Para SF train alongside US special forces during Vajra Prahar 2018]] | ||
The Para (SF) conduct a series of joint exercises, named Vajra Prahar, with the United States Army every year, in which about 100 personnel from the US and Indian special forces participate.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000758/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-03/india/34238307_1_p-8i-vajra-prahar-joint-exercise "Indian and US special forces to conduct counter-terror exercise"]. ''The Times Of India''</ref> INDRA is a series of joint exercise with Russian special forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/143011-indian-russian-armies-conduct-joint-exercise.html|title=Indian & Russian armies to conduct joint exercise|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055959/http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/143011-indian-russian-armies-conduct-joint-exercise.html|archive-date=23 October | The Para (SF) conduct a series of joint exercises, named Vajra Prahar, with the United States Army every year, in which about 100 personnel from the US and Indian special forces participate.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000758/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-03/india/34238307_1_p-8i-vajra-prahar-joint-exercise "Indian and US special forces to conduct counter-terror exercise"]. ''The Times Of India''</ref> INDRA is a series of joint exercise with Russian special forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/143011-indian-russian-armies-conduct-joint-exercise.html|title=Indian & Russian armies to conduct joint exercise|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055959/http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/143011-indian-russian-armies-conduct-joint-exercise.html|archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> and operation Sampriti is the name for joint exercises with Bangladeshi special forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indo-Bangla-Special-Forces-to-hold-joint-drills/10577/1/14.html|title=Indo-Bangla Special Forces to hold joint drills - Brahmand News|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819082153/http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indo-Bangla-Special-Forces-to-hold-joint-drills/10577/1/14.html|archive-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> Para (SF) also conducts exercises and training with the special forces of [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian special forces in Israel to train with the IDF's most elite units|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/india-israel/indian-special-forces-in-israel-to-train-with-the-idfs-most-elite-units-513820|access-date=2021-02-01|website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}</ref> The Ajeya Warrior is a series of exercises with regular infantry units of the UK (as the UK's special forces are highly classified).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2013/02/08/India_UK_armies_to_hold_joint_exercise_in_April/#/video|title=India, UK armies to hold joint exercise in April|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923181025/https://article.wn.com/view/2013/02/08/India_UK_armies_to_hold_joint_exercise_in_April/#/video|archive-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> Indian special forces also conduct exercises with forces of the following 16 friendly countries: the United States, France, the UK, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Seychelles, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} | ||
===International competitions=== | ===International competitions=== | ||
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*[[IWI Jericho 941]] Semi-automatic Pistol | *[[IWI Jericho 941]] Semi-automatic Pistol | ||
'''Sub-machine Gun''' | '''Sub-machine Gun''' | ||
*[[Brügger & Thomet MP9|B&T MP9]] 9mm Machine Pistol<ref name="TheWeekDesertScorpion">{{cite news |title=What makes the yyyuuuuhghDesert Scorpions, India's most elitjuyyhhhhthhe special forceuuyhhh, special|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/india-para-commandos.html |website=The Week |access-date=27 April 2020 |date=4 February | *[[Brügger & Thomet MP9|B&T MP9]] 9mm Machine Pistol<ref name="TheWeekDesertScorpion">{{cite news |title=What makes the yyyuuuuhghDesert Scorpions, India's most elitjuyyhhhhthhe special forceuuyhhh, special|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/india-para-commandos.html |website=The Week |access-date=27 April 2020 |date=4 February 2018}}</ref> | ||
*[[Heckler & Koch MP5]] Sub-Machine Gun<ref>{{cite news |title=How AK-203, superior to INSAS, will end forces' hunt for a reliable rifle|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-ak-203-superior-to-insas-will-end-forces-hunt-for-a-reliable-rifle/articleshow/68248283.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=21 April 2020|date=4 March 2019|quote=Special forces like Para commandos, Marine Commandos (popularly known as Marcos), Garud Commando Force (IAF special force) and even National Security Guard (anti-terror force) also rely on German or Israel automatic rifles like Heckler and Koch MP5 sub-machine guns}}</ref> | *[[Heckler & Koch MP5]] Sub-Machine Gun<ref>{{cite news |title=How AK-203, superior to INSAS, will end forces' hunt for a reliable rifle|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-ak-203-superior-to-insas-will-end-forces-hunt-for-a-reliable-rifle/articleshow/68248283.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=21 April 2020|date=4 March 2019|quote=Special forces like Para commandos, Marine Commandos (popularly known as Marcos), Garud Commando Force (IAF special force) and even National Security Guard (anti-terror force) also rely on German or Israel automatic rifles like Heckler and Koch MP5 sub-machine guns}}</ref> | ||
*[[UZI|Micro Uzi]] 9mm Sub-Machine Gun<ref name="TheWeekDesertScorpion"/><ref name="Hindu 11 Jan 2016">{{cite news |title=Para SF team was the 'best bet' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Para-SF-team-was-the-'best-bet'/article13992559.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=21 April 2020 |date=11 January 2016|last1=Peri |first1=Dinakar }}</ref> | *[[UZI|Micro Uzi]] 9mm Sub-Machine Gun<ref name="TheWeekDesertScorpion"/><ref name="Hindu 11 Jan 2016">{{cite news |title=Para SF team was the 'best bet' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Para-SF-team-was-the-'best-bet'/article13992559.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=21 April 2020 |date=11 January 2016|last1=Peri |first1=Dinakar }}</ref> | ||
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'''Sniper Rifle''' | '''Sniper Rifle''' | ||
*[[IMI Galil#7.62mm variants|IWI Galil Sniper]] 7.62mm Semi-automatic sniper Rifle<ref name=":4" /> | *[[IMI Galil#7.62mm variants|IWI Galil Sniper]] 7.62mm Semi-automatic sniper Rifle<ref name=":4" /> | ||
*[[Sako TRG]] .338 Lapua Magnum Sniper Rifle<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo from Rajnath Ladakh trip reveals two 'secret' special forces buys |url=https://theprint.in/defence/photo-from-rajnath-ladakh-trip-reveals-two-secret-special-forces-buys/462968/ |website=[[ThePrint]] |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=8 August | *[[Sako TRG]] .338 Lapua Magnum Sniper Rifle<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo from Rajnath Ladakh trip reveals two 'secret' special forces buys |url=https://theprint.in/defence/photo-from-rajnath-ladakh-trip-reveals-two-secret-special-forces-buys/462968/ |website=[[ThePrint]] |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/elite-special-forces-of-army-iaf-navy-get-major-weapons-upgrade/articleshow/65046489.cms|title=Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgrade |last=P|first=Rajat|date=19 July 2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Team|first=BS Web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/indian-elite-forces-get-big-upgrade-with-new-snipers-underwater-chariots-118071900395_1.html|title=Indian elite forces get big upgrade with new snipers, underwater 'chariots'|date=2018-07-19|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-08-01|quote=the rifle will most likely be a model belonging to Sako's TRG series}}</ref> | ||
*[[Barrett M107A1]] Anti-material Sniper Rifle<ref>{{Cite news|last=D'costa|first=Ian|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/irons/2019/03/19/indian-snipers-will-be-using-these-two-new-rifles-to-guard-their-border-with-pakistan/|date=2019-03-19|title=Indian snipers will be using these two new rifles to guard their border with Pakistan |work=Military Times|access-date=2022-06-08|quote=All the guns to be produced in the factory are already in service with the army's Special Forces}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-deploys-us-italy-trained-snipers-with-deadly-new-rifles-along-loc/241829/|title=Indian Army deploys US-, Italy-trained snipers with deadly new rifles along LoC |last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2019-05-28 |newspaper=The Print|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref> | *[[Barrett M107A1]] Anti-material Sniper Rifle<ref>{{Cite news|last=D'costa|first=Ian|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/irons/2019/03/19/indian-snipers-will-be-using-these-two-new-rifles-to-guard-their-border-with-pakistan/|date=2019-03-19|title=Indian snipers will be using these two new rifles to guard their border with Pakistan |work=Military Times|access-date=2022-06-08|quote=All the guns to be produced in the factory are already in service with the army's Special Forces}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-deploys-us-italy-trained-snipers-with-deadly-new-rifles-along-loc/241829/|title=Indian Army deploys US-, Italy-trained snipers with deadly new rifles along LoC |last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2019-05-28 |newspaper=The Print|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref> | ||
*[[Beretta|Beretta Victrix Scorpio TGT]] .338 Lapua Magnum Sniper Rifle<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alex Philip|first=Snehesh|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-deploys-us-italy-trained-snipers-with-deadly-new-rifles-along-loc/241829/|title=Indian Army deploys US-, Italy-trained snipers with deadly new rifles along LoC|date=2019-05-28|work=The Print|access-date=2020-04-14|quote=All the guns to be produced in the factory are already in service with the army's Special Forces}}</ref> | *[[Beretta|Beretta Victrix Scorpio TGT]] .338 Lapua Magnum Sniper Rifle<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alex Philip|first=Snehesh|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-army-deploys-us-italy-trained-snipers-with-deadly-new-rifles-along-loc/241829/|title=Indian Army deploys US-, Italy-trained snipers with deadly new rifles along LoC|date=2019-05-28|work=The Print|access-date=2020-04-14|quote=All the guns to be produced in the factory are already in service with the army's Special Forces}}</ref> | ||
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*[[Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle|Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle(Mark-4)]] Light Weight Rocket-launcher.<ref name=":0" /> | *[[Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle|Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle(Mark-4)]] Light Weight Rocket-launcher.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
*[[B-300#Shipon|B-300 Shipon]] 82mm Rocket Launcher | *[[B-300#Shipon|B-300 Shipon]] 82mm Rocket Launcher | ||
*[[Spike (ATGM)]] Rocket Launcher<ref name=":52">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-inducts-israeli-tank-killers-till-drdo-develops-indigenous-ones/articleshow/71432164.cms|title=Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones|date=4 October 2019|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October | *[[Spike (ATGM)]] Rocket Launcher<ref name=":52">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-inducts-israeli-tank-killers-till-drdo-develops-indigenous-ones/articleshow/71432164.cms|title=Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones|date=4 October 2019|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref> | ||
===Transport=== | ===Transport=== | ||
| Line 309: | Line 309: | ||
===Maha Vir Chakra=== | ===Maha Vir Chakra=== | ||
*1965, Lt. General (then Major) [[Ranjit Singh Dyal]] of 1 Para(Special Forces) captured Haji pir pass under Operation Bakshi of 1965 war. | *1965, Lt. General (then Major) [[Ranjit Singh Dyal]] of 1 Para(Special Forces) captured Haji pir pass under Operation Bakshi of 1965 war. | ||
*1971, Brigadier (then Lt. Colonel) Swai [[Bhawani Singh]] of 10 Para(Special Forces) for the capture of large areas of Chachro and Virawah in Pakistan during 1971 war.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Col Swai Bhawani Singh Maha Vir Chakra |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/swai-bhawani-singh |website=Gallantry Awards |access-date=11 September | *1971, Brigadier (then Lt. Colonel) Swai [[Bhawani Singh]] of 10 Para(Special Forces) for the capture of large areas of Chachro and Virawah in Pakistan during 1971 war.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Col Swai Bhawani Singh Maha Vir Chakra |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/swai-bhawani-singh |website=Gallantry Awards |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref> | ||
* 1971 Maj Gen (Then Lt Col) [[Kulwant Singh Pannu]] of 2 PARA (Maratha) now Special Forces who led 2 PARA in the Airborne Assault on Poongli Bridge, in Tangail, and subsequently led the Indian Army's entry into Dhaka with his unit. | * 1971 Maj Gen (Then Lt Col) [[Kulwant Singh Pannu]] of 2 PARA (Maratha) now Special Forces who led 2 PARA in the Airborne Assault on Poongli Bridge, in Tangail, and subsequently led the Indian Army's entry into Dhaka with his unit. | ||
*1965, Brigadier (then Lt. Colonel) Russell Lazarus of the 3rd Para for setting up the 3rd Para in [[Agra]] and action in the [[1965 War]] | *1965, Brigadier (then Lt. Colonel) Russell Lazarus of the 3rd Para for setting up the 3rd Para in [[Agra]] and action in the [[1965 War]] | ||
===Vir Chakra=== | ===Vir Chakra=== | ||
*1988, Maj. General (then Lt. Colonel) [[Dalvir Singh]], of 10 Para (Special Forces) for the rescue of 74 SF personnel as well as the infantry personnel trapped, along with recovery of 6 fatal SF casualties during the Operation [[Jaffna University Helidrop]] in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Col Dalvir Singh Vir Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/dalvir-singh |website=GallantryAwards.gov.in |publisher=Ministry of Defence India |access-date=8 December | *1988, Maj. General (then Lt. Colonel) [[Dalvir Singh]], of 10 Para (Special Forces) for the rescue of 74 SF personnel as well as the infantry personnel trapped, along with recovery of 6 fatal SF casualties during the Operation [[Jaffna University Helidrop]] in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Col Dalvir Singh Vir Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/dalvir-singh |website=GallantryAwards.gov.in |publisher=Ministry of Defence India |access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref> | ||
===Ashok Chakra=== | ===Ashok Chakra=== | ||
* 1971, Brigadier Russell Lazarus MVC of the 3rd Para, Military Attache at the [https://www.india.org.pk/ Indian High Commission, Pakistan] for espionage activities leading to the [[1971 War]] . | * 1971, Brigadier Russell Lazarus MVC of the 3rd Para, Military Attache at the [https://www.india.org.pk/ Indian High Commission, Pakistan] for espionage activities leading to the [[1971 War]] . | ||
*1995, (Posthumous) Captain [[Arun Singh Jasrotia]] of 9 Para (Special Forces) for eliminating terrorists in [[Lolab Valley]] during operation Rakshak.<ref name=honorpoint>{{cite news| title=Capt Arun Singh Jasrotia AC, SM|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/capt-arun-singh-jasrotia-acsm/}}</ref> | *1995, (Posthumous) Captain [[Arun Singh Jasrotia]] of 9 Para (Special Forces) for eliminating terrorists in [[Lolab Valley]] during operation Rakshak.<ref name=honorpoint>{{cite news| title=Capt Arun Singh Jasrotia AC, SM|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/capt-arun-singh-jasrotia-acsm/}}</ref> | ||
*1999, (Posthumous) Major [[Sudhir Kumar Walia]] of 9 Para (Special Forces) for killing 9 terrorists single-handedly during operation Rakshak in Haphruda forest of Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, Ashok Chakra: India Remembering The Braveheart Para Commando |date=30 August 2020 |url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/major-sudhir-kumar-walia-ashok-chakra-remembering-the-braveheart-para-commando/ |publisher=Aviation & Defence Universe |access-date=8 December | *1999, (Posthumous) Major [[Sudhir Kumar Walia]] of 9 Para (Special Forces) for killing 9 terrorists single-handedly during operation Rakshak in Haphruda forest of Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, Ashok Chakra: India Remembering The Braveheart Para Commando |date=30 August 2020 |url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/major-sudhir-kumar-walia-ashok-chakra-remembering-the-braveheart-para-commando/ |publisher=Aviation & Defence Universe |access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref> | ||
*2003, (Posthumous) Paratrooper [[Sanjog Chhetri]] of 9 Para(Special Forces) for operation Sarp Vinash in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]].<ref name=Honorpoint>{{cite web|title=Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri AC |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/paratrooper-sanjog-singh-chhetri-ac/ |website=honourpoint.in |access-date=2021-02-07}}</ref> | *2003, (Posthumous) Paratrooper [[Sanjog Chhetri]] of 9 Para(Special Forces) for operation Sarp Vinash in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]].<ref name=Honorpoint>{{cite web|title=Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri AC |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/paratrooper-sanjog-singh-chhetri-ac/ |website=honourpoint.in |access-date=2021-02-07}}</ref> | ||
*2007, (Posthumous) Captain [[Harshan R Nair]] of the 2 Para(Special Forces) for Baramulla Operation, 20th Mar 2007, eliminating four terrorists including, two top leaders.<ref>{{cite web |title=CAPT HARSHAN R Ashoka Chakra(Posthumous) |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1100 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | *2007, (Posthumous) Captain [[Harshan R Nair]] of the 2 Para(Special Forces) for Baramulla Operation, 20th Mar 2007, eliminating four terrorists including, two top leaders.<ref>{{cite web |title=CAPT HARSHAN R Ashoka Chakra(Posthumous) |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1100 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | ||
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*1994, Maj Gen (then Lt Col) SK Razdan of 7 Para for Counter-insurgency operation Op Rhino in 1994. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3320 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | *1994, Maj Gen (then Lt Col) SK Razdan of 7 Para for Counter-insurgency operation Op Rhino in 1994. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3320 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | ||
*2001,(Posthumous) Capt. R. Subramanian of 1 Para(Special Forces) for counter-insurgency operations in [[Kupwara]] area of Jammu and Kashmir in 2000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/captain-r-subramanian-kc/|title=Captain R Subramanian KC | Honourpoint}}</ref> | *2001,(Posthumous) Capt. R. Subramanian of 1 Para(Special Forces) for counter-insurgency operations in [[Kupwara]] area of Jammu and Kashmir in 2000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/captain-r-subramanian-kc/|title=Captain R Subramanian KC | Honourpoint}}</ref> | ||
*2009, Brig.(then Lt. Colonel) [[Saurabh Singh Shekhawat]] of 21 Para(Special Forces) for a classified operation in [[Manipur]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=LT COL SAURABH SINGH SHEKHAWAT, SC, SM, VSM |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/saurabh-singh-shekhawat-sc-sm-vsm |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Ministry of Defense India |access-date=3 September | *2009, Brig.(then Lt. Colonel) [[Saurabh Singh Shekhawat]] of 21 Para(Special Forces) for a classified operation in [[Manipur]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=LT COL SAURABH SINGH SHEKHAWAT, SC, SM, VSM |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/saurabh-singh-shekhawat-sc-sm-vsm |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Ministry of Defense India |access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=President confers gallantry and distinguished service awards |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/president-confers-gallantry-and-distinguished-service-awards_100168787.html |access-date=3 September 2019 |publisher=Thaindian.com Company Limited}}</ref> | ||
*2010,(Posthumous) Capt. Davinder Singh Jass, of 1 Para (Special Forces) for a counter-insurgency operations in [[Sopore]] area of Jammu and Kashmir in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/captain-devinder-singh-jass-kc/|title=Captain Devinder Singh Jass KC | Honourpoint}}</ref> | *2010,(Posthumous) Capt. Davinder Singh Jass, of 1 Para (Special Forces) for a counter-insurgency operations in [[Sopore]] area of Jammu and Kashmir in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/captain-devinder-singh-jass-kc/|title=Captain Devinder Singh Jass KC | Honourpoint}}</ref> | ||
*2011, Lt Vikas Sharma of 6 Para for Counter-insurgency operation in Jammu & Kashmir in 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3579 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | *2011, Lt Vikas Sharma of 6 Para for Counter-insurgency operation in Jammu & Kashmir in 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3579 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | ||
*2015, Lt. Colonel. Nectar Sanjenbam of 21 Para(Special Forces) for [[2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar|2015 Myanmar Cross Border Raid]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Independence Day celebrations: 8 gallantry awards for Myanmar raid commandos |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/delhi/story/i-day-celebrations-eight-gallantry-awards-for-myanmar-raid-commandos-288341-2015-08-14 |publisher=India Today |ref=The gallantry awards were announced by the Indian army on Friday ahead of the 69th Independence Day. Lt Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam of the 21 Para-SF was awarded a Kirti Chakra for leading the crossborder raid.}}</ref> | *2015, Lt. Colonel. Nectar Sanjenbam of 21 Para(Special Forces) for [[2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar|2015 Myanmar Cross Border Raid]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Independence Day celebrations: 8 gallantry awards for Myanmar raid commandos |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/delhi/story/i-day-celebrations-eight-gallantry-awards-for-myanmar-raid-commandos-288341-2015-08-14 |publisher=India Today |ref=The gallantry awards were announced by the Indian army on Friday ahead of the 69th Independence Day. Lt Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam of the 21 Para-SF was awarded a Kirti Chakra for leading the crossborder raid.}}</ref> | ||
*2015, Captain Jaidev Dangi of 10 Para (Special Forces) for eliminating a terrorist in Pulwama in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/163360.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 228|date=2015-04-04|access-date=2022-09-13}}</ref> | *2015, Captain Jaidev Dangi of 10 Para (Special Forces) for eliminating a terrorist in Pulwama in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/163360.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 228|date=2015-04-04|access-date=2022-09-13}}</ref> | ||
*2017, Lt. Colonel.(then Major) Rohit Suri of 4 Para(Special Forces) for the [[Surgical strike]] against terrorist launch pads across the [[Line of Control]] in [[Pakistani-administered Kashmir]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the heroes of the Surgical Strikes |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/surgical-strike-heroes-honoured-with-gallantry-awards/20170320.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=3 September | *2017, Lt. Colonel.(then Major) Rohit Suri of 4 Para(Special Forces) for the [[Surgical strike]] against terrorist launch pads across the [[Line of Control]] in [[Pakistani-administered Kashmir]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the heroes of the Surgical Strikes |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/surgical-strike-heroes-honoured-with-gallantry-awards/20170320.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref> | ||
*2021, (Posthumous) [[Subedar|Sub]]. [[Sanjiv Kumar (soldier)|Sanjiv Kumar]] of 4 Para(Special Forces) for Counter Insurgency Op in [[Kupwara]], [[Kashmir]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subedar. Sanjiv Kumar KC |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/subedar-sanjiv-kumar-kc/ |website=Honourpoint |publisher=Honourpoint Foundation |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> | *2021, (Posthumous) [[Subedar|Sub]]. [[Sanjiv Kumar (soldier)|Sanjiv Kumar]] of 4 Para(Special Forces) for Counter Insurgency Op in [[Kupwara]], [[Kashmir]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subedar. Sanjiv Kumar KC |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/subedar-sanjiv-kumar-kc/ |website=Honourpoint |publisher=Honourpoint Foundation |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> | ||
*2009,(Posthumous) Paratrooper Shabir Ahmad Malik of 1 Para SF for fighting terrorists at Kupwara , Kashmir on 21 March , 2009 . | *2009,(Posthumous) Paratrooper Shabir Ahmad Malik of 1 Para SF for fighting terrorists at Kupwara , Kashmir on 21 March , 2009 . | ||
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*1999,(Posthumous) Ptr, Gian Singh of 6 Para for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Jammu & Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/356 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | *1999,(Posthumous) Ptr, Gian Singh of 6 Para for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Jammu & Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/356 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | ||
*2002, Col (then Lt) Manav Yadav of 1 Para(Special Forces) for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yadavhistory.com/famous_contributions/armywarriors|title=Yadav history - ARMY/Warriors}}</ref> | *2002, Col (then Lt) Manav Yadav of 1 Para(Special Forces) for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yadavhistory.com/famous_contributions/armywarriors|title=Yadav history - ARMY/Warriors}}</ref> | ||
*2004, (Posthumous) Major Udai Singh of 1 Para(Special Forces) for Rajouri operation in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Udai Singh SC SM|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/major-udai-singh-sc-sm/|access-date=29 November | *2004, (Posthumous) Major Udai Singh of 1 Para(Special Forces) for Rajouri operation in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Udai Singh SC SM|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/major-udai-singh-sc-sm/|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> | ||
*2008, Colonel.(then Major) N. S. Bal of 2 Para(Special Forces) for a covert operation in Lolab Valley in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gallantry awardee colonel loses battle to cancer |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/gallantry-awardee-colonel-loses%C2%A0battle-to-cancer-68890 |publisher=.tribuneindia.com |ref=Navjot Singh Bal was winner of Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award.}}</ref> | *2008, Colonel.(then Major) N. S. Bal of 2 Para(Special Forces) for a covert operation in Lolab Valley in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gallantry awardee colonel loses battle to cancer |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/gallantry-awardee-colonel-loses%C2%A0battle-to-cancer-68890 |publisher=.tribuneindia.com |ref=Navjot Singh Bal was winner of Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award.}}</ref> | ||
*2010, Capt Tushar Dhasmana of 6 Para for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Jammu & Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/774 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | *2010, Capt Tushar Dhasmana of 6 Para for Counter-Insurgency Operation in Jammu & Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/774 | title=Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India }}</ref> | ||
*2014, Major (then Lieutenant) Manish Singh of 9 Para(Special Forces) for Operation in Kashmir in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gakhar|first=Raghav|title=The Story of Major Manish Singh, 9 Para, Shaurya Chakra Will Motivate Every Indian - DefenceLover|url=https://defencelover.in/story-major-manish-singh-9-para-shaurya-chakra-will-motivate-every-indian/|access-date=2022-02-26|language=en-US}}</ref> | *2014, Major (then Lieutenant) Manish Singh of 9 Para(Special Forces) for Operation in Kashmir in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gakhar|first=Raghav|title=The Story of Major Manish Singh, 9 Para, Shaurya Chakra Will Motivate Every Indian - DefenceLover|url=https://defencelover.in/story-major-manish-singh-9-para-shaurya-chakra-will-motivate-every-indian/|access-date=2022-02-26|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
*2016, (Posthumous) Captain [[Pawan Kumar (Indian Army Officer)|Pawan Kumar]] of 10 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Pampore stand-off]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Shiv Arora & Rahul singh|title=India's Most Fearless 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dCaDwAAQBAJ |publisher=Penguin Random House India (June 2019)|isbn=978-0143443155|chapter=6|date=24 June | *2016, (Posthumous) Captain [[Pawan Kumar (Indian Army Officer)|Pawan Kumar]] of 10 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Pampore stand-off]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Shiv Arora & Rahul singh|title=India's Most Fearless 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dCaDwAAQBAJ |publisher=Penguin Random House India (June 2019)|isbn=978-0143443155|chapter=6|date=24 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg9tZwhJB7U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Zg9tZwhJB7U |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Para SF's Daring Jat Commando & His Last Facebook Post|series=India's Bravest Ep#8|via=YouTube|date=17 April 2020|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Captain Pawan Kumar Shaurya Chakra |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/pawan-kumar-posthumous |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref> | ||
*2016, (Posthumous) Captain Tushar Mahajan of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Pampore stand-off]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tribute to Tushar |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/tribute-to-tushar-2/ |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Capt Tushar Mahajan (Posthumous) Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/935 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | *2016, (Posthumous) Captain Tushar Mahajan of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Pampore stand-off]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tribute to Tushar |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/tribute-to-tushar-2/ |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Capt Tushar Mahajan (Posthumous) Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/935 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | ||
*2017, Major D. K. Upadhyay of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Maj D K Upadhyay 9 PARA (SF) Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4610 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | *2017, Major D. K. Upadhyay of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Maj D K Upadhyay 9 PARA (SF) Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4610 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | ||
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*2017, Nb. Subedar Vijay Kumar of 4 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Nb Sub Vijay Kumar 4 para SF Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4612 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | *2017, Nb. Subedar Vijay Kumar of 4 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Nb Sub Vijay Kumar 4 para SF Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4612 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | ||
*2017, Ptr. Abdul Qayum of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Paratrooper Abdul Qayum 9 PARA (SF) Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4613 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | *2017, Ptr. Abdul Qayum of 9 Para(Special Forces) for [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Surgical Strike in Pakistan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Paratrooper Abdul Qayum 9 PARA (SF) Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4613 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |publisher=MOD India}}</ref> | ||
*2018, Col(then Major) Vikrant Prashar of 10 Para(Special Forces) for a covert operation in Kashmir, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher Shaurya Chakra |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/lieutenant-colonel-vikrant-prasher |website=Gallantry Awards Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=11 September | *2018, Col(then Major) Vikrant Prashar of 10 Para(Special Forces) for a covert operation in Kashmir, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher Shaurya Chakra |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/lieutenant-colonel-vikrant-prasher |website=Gallantry Awards Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shaurya Chakra Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher 10th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) |url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/shaurya-chakra-lieutenant-colonel-vikrant-prasher-10th-battalion-the-parachute-regiment-special-forces/ |website=Aviation & Defence Universe |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref> | ||
*2019, Nb. Subedar Anil Kumar Dahiya of 1 Para(Special Forces) for killing 3 terrorists, during a covert strike across the [[Line of Control]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=President Kovind presents Shaurya Chakra to Naib Subedar Anil Kumar Dahiya |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXw9-ofMvgo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/KXw9-ofMvgo |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=11 September | *2019, Nb. Subedar Anil Kumar Dahiya of 1 Para(Special Forces) for killing 3 terrorists, during a covert strike across the [[Line of Control]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=President Kovind presents Shaurya Chakra to Naib Subedar Anil Kumar Dahiya |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXw9-ofMvgo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/KXw9-ofMvgo |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=11 September 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
*2021, Ptr. Sonam Tshering Tamang of 4 Para(Special Forces) for killing 2 terrorists and for evacuating his squad commander, in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ptr Sonam Tshering Tamang Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4959 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> | *2021, Ptr. Sonam Tshering Tamang of 4 Para(Special Forces) for killing 2 terrorists and for evacuating his squad commander, in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ptr Sonam Tshering Tamang Shaurya Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4959 |website=Gallantry Awards |publisher=Govt of India |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> | ||
* | * | ||