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{{Short description|Indian Air Force unit}} | {{Short description|Indian Air Force unit}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
| unit_name = Garud Special Forces | | unit_name = Garud Special Forces | ||
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While the Army might have provided some Special forces units to the Air Force, its units were always subject to being posted out on rotation to other areas as per the Army's requirements. It was felt that the specialized training the air force would have provided such units would have to be repeated again and again for the replacement units. | While the Army might have provided some Special forces units to the Air Force, its units were always subject to being posted out on rotation to other areas as per the Army's requirements. It was felt that the specialized training the air force would have provided such units would have to be repeated again and again for the replacement units. | ||
The initial plans mooted in October 2001 called for a specialized force with 2000 [[commando]]s. The group was originally called "Tiger Force", but was later renamed as "Garud Force".<ref name="ToI 2002">{{Cite web|date=1 October 2002|title=IAF to form commando force to protect airbases|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-01/india/27318740_1_commando-force-airbases-indian-air-force-plans|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022141108/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-01/india/27318740_1_commando-force-airbases-indian-air-force-plans|archive-date=22 October 2012|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 September | The initial plans mooted in October 2001 called for a specialized force with 2000 [[commando]]s. The group was originally called "Tiger Force", but was later renamed as "Garud Force".<ref name="ToI 2002">{{Cite web|date=1 October 2002|title=IAF to form commando force to protect airbases|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-01/india/27318740_1_commando-force-airbases-indian-air-force-plans|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022141108/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-01/india/27318740_1_commando-force-airbases-indian-air-force-plans|archive-date=22 October 2012|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | ||
In order to address the need for a dedicated force, in September 2003, the [[Government of India]] authorized a 1080 strong force to be raised and trained on the lines of the [[Para SF]] of the Army and [[MARCOS]] of the [[Indian Navy]],<ref name="PIB Sep 072"/> with the mandate of performing niche, Air Force specific operational tasks. | In order to address the need for a dedicated force, in September 2003, the [[Government of India]] authorized a 1080 strong force to be raised and trained on the lines of the [[Para SF]] of the Army and [[MARCOS]] of the [[Indian Navy]],<ref name="PIB Sep 072"/> with the mandate of performing niche, Air Force specific operational tasks. | ||
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The remainder of the phases concentrates on niche fields like jungle and snow survival, demolition, etc. Garuds also train at the diving school of the [[Indian Navy]] and the Army's [[Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School]] ([[CIJWS]]). The final phase of training is active operations on being attached to Special Force Units of the [[Indian Army]], which helps the Garuds in gaining operational experience. | The remainder of the phases concentrates on niche fields like jungle and snow survival, demolition, etc. Garuds also train at the diving school of the [[Indian Navy]] and the Army's [[Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School]] ([[CIJWS]]). The final phase of training is active operations on being attached to Special Force Units of the [[Indian Army]], which helps the Garuds in gaining operational experience. | ||
After induction, the commandos also undergo advanced training including anti-hijack counter-insurgency training, jungle and snow survival techniques, specialized weapon handling and advanced diving skills.<ref name="Rediff1">[http://in.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=/news/2004/feb/06garud.htm Garud: IAF's commando force takes off] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525062441/http://in.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=%2Fnews%2F2004%2Ffeb%2F06garud.htm|date=25 May | After induction, the commandos also undergo advanced training including anti-hijack counter-insurgency training, jungle and snow survival techniques, specialized weapon handling and advanced diving skills.<ref name="Rediff1">[http://in.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=/news/2004/feb/06garud.htm Garud: IAF's commando force takes off] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525062441/http://in.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=%2Fnews%2F2004%2Ffeb%2F06garud.htm|date=25 May 2011}}, Rediff.com, 6 February 2004.</ref> | ||
== Uniforms & Insignia == | == Uniforms & Insignia == | ||
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=== 2016 Pathankot attack === | === 2016 Pathankot attack === | ||
On January 2, 2016, during the [[2016 Pathankot attack]] Garud team engaged the intruding terrorists in a firefight, during which Commando Gursewak Singh died in action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/funeral-at-house-of-gursewak-singh-that-hosted-his-wedding-in-nov/story-iSz2p2opnThtwtQ1nruF8O.html|title = Funeral at house of Gursewak Singh that hosted his wedding in Nov|date = 4 January | On January 2, 2016, during the [[2016 Pathankot attack]] Garud team engaged the intruding terrorists in a firefight, during which Commando Gursewak Singh died in action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/funeral-at-house-of-gursewak-singh-that-hosted-his-wedding-in-nov/story-iSz2p2opnThtwtQ1nruF8O.html|title = Funeral at house of Gursewak Singh that hosted his wedding in Nov|date = 4 January 2016}}</ref> All the IAF assets were declared safe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/cheat-sheet/punjab-air-force-base-terror-attack-2-terrorists-killed-gunbattle-on-1261437|title=After Day-Long Gun-Battle in Pathankot, 4 Terrorists Dead: 10 Developments}}</ref> | ||
=== Jammu and Kashmir === | === Jammu and Kashmir === | ||
Garud Commandos are actively deployed in the [[Lolab Valley]] and the Hajin area of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct counter-insurgency operations.<ref name="AFSOD"/> They have undertaken operations against armed militants from groups such as [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]]. These operations have included tasks such as [[Direct action (military)|direct encounters]] and intelligence gathering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/garud-elite-commandos-anti-terrorism-jammu-kashmir-air-force-1123652-2018-01-06|title='Garud' eyes new targets in Jammu and Kashmir|date=6 January 2018|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=14 February | Garud Commandos are actively deployed in the [[Lolab Valley]] and the Hajin area of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct counter-insurgency operations.<ref name="AFSOD"/> They have undertaken operations against armed militants from groups such as [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]]. These operations have included tasks such as [[Direct action (military)|direct encounters]] and intelligence gathering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/garud-elite-commandos-anti-terrorism-jammu-kashmir-air-force-1123652-2018-01-06|title='Garud' eyes new targets in Jammu and Kashmir|date=6 January 2018|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> The following are some of the known operations conducted by Garud commandos: | ||
*Operation Rakh Hajin: This was an operation conducted by the Garud Commandos in which six militants were killed in the [[Kashmir valley]]. The [[Ashok Chakra]] was posthumously awarded to Corporal J.P. Nirala for the same.<ref name="AFSOD">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-navy-air-force-special-forces-deployed-jointly-to-hunt-terrorists-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/72209212.cms|title=Army, Navy, Air Force Special Forces deployed jointly to hunt terrorists in Kashmir valley|date=2019-11-24|work=[[Asian News International]]|access-date=2019-11-24|via=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | *Operation Rakh Hajin: This was an operation conducted by the Garud Commandos in which six militants were killed in the [[Kashmir valley]]. The [[Ashok Chakra]] was posthumously awarded to Corporal J.P. Nirala for the same.<ref name="AFSOD">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-navy-air-force-special-forces-deployed-jointly-to-hunt-terrorists-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/72209212.cms|title=Army, Navy, Air Force Special Forces deployed jointly to hunt terrorists in Kashmir valley|date=2019-11-24|work=[[Asian News International]]|access-date=2019-11-24|via=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | ||
*In July 2018, two Garud commandos and two militants were killed during an intense encounter at Hajin, [[Bandipore district|Bandipora]]. According to military authorities, the Garud commandos were operating alongside the Special Operations Group of J&K police and the Indian Army.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Irfan|first=Hakeem|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/two-militants-killed-in-jk-gunfight/articleshow/61030717.cms|title=Two IAF Garud commandos, two militants killed in ongoing encounter in Hajin of Kashmir|date=2018-07-13|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> | *In July 2018, two Garud commandos and two militants were killed during an intense encounter at Hajin, [[Bandipore district|Bandipora]]. According to military authorities, the Garud commandos were operating alongside the Special Operations Group of J&K police and the Indian Army.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Irfan|first=Hakeem|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/two-militants-killed-in-jk-gunfight/articleshow/61030717.cms|title=Two IAF Garud commandos, two militants killed in ongoing encounter in Hajin of Kashmir|date=2018-07-13|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> | ||
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==Gallantry awards== | ==Gallantry awards== | ||
{{expand section|date=December | {{expand section|date=December 2019}} | ||
===Ashok Chakra=== | ===Ashok Chakra=== | ||