Page 48 - MILITARY-STUDIES-1

Special Forces Module - II

Structure and
Special Forces have played an important role throughout the history of warfare, Role of the Forces
whenever the aim was to achieve disruption by "hit and run" and sabotage, rather than
through more traditional conventional combat. Other significant roles lay in
reconnaissance, providing essential intelligence about the enemy and increasingly in
combating irregular forces, their infrastructure and activities.
The British Army deployed two Special Forces during their border wars: the Corps of
Note
Guides formed in 1846 and the Gurkha Scouts (a force that was formed in the 1890s
and was first used as a detached unit during the 1897-1898 Tirah Campaign). During
the Second Boer War (1899-1902) the British Army felt the need for more specialised
units.

Scouting units such as the Lovat Scouts, a Scottish Highland regiment made up of
exceptional woodsmen outfitted in ghillie suits and well practised in the arts of
marksmanship, field craft, and military tactics filled this role. This unit was formed in
1900 by Lord Lovat and early on reported to an American, Major Frederick Russell
Burnham, the Chief of Scouts under Lord Roberts. After the war, Lovat's Scouts went
on to formally become the British Army's first sniper unit. Additionally, the Bushveldt
Carbineers, formed in 1901, can be seen as an early unconventional warfare unit.

5.2 History of Indian Special Forces

The history of Indian Special Forces revolves around raising of Parachute battalions
by the British Indian Army and subsequently formation of Parachute Regiment in 1952.
The Regiment's successfully conducted of airborne operation's and commando raids
across the borders. Indian Army had commando battalions. Later these units were
designated as special forces and are tasked with specialised tasks behind the enemy
positions.
During 1971 conflict, a need for Naval component of Special Forces was felt after
experimenting with amphibious operations (Operation Jackpot) where an amphibious
landing was planned at Cox Bazaar (then Pakistani Naval Base, now Bangladesh).
Marine Commandos (MARCOS) who are patterned on the lines of SEALS of USA
were raised after this experience.

After the assassination of the erstwhile Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi a decision
to raise a force under Ministry of Home (MHA) was taken. Besides security of VVIPs
it was envisaged that this newly raised force would also cater for element of CT, anti-
hijacking and anti-kidnapping.
Consequently in 1984, National Security Guard was formed. NSG was carved out of
Special Group and like its creator it too, was, and is, manned by troops of Indian
Army (IA), essentially from infantry.

41
MILITARY STUDIES 41