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Module - VI
Armed Forces in Internal Security
Armed Forces and itss
Role in Internal Security • Nuclear power plants
• National capital - Parliament
• Important bridges across major rivers

• Dams - example BhakraNangal dam
• Offshore oil rigs
Note
These infrastructures are also very essential for the three wings the Armed Forces to
operate during wartime. Assets like naval ports and airbases are the most vulnerable
because terrorists and other hostile forces may attempt to sabotage them as our powerful
warships and aircrafts are the most vulnerable while they are on their respective bases.
The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack is an important example on how the terrorist
groups may target an important strategic asset of India. Hence it is the vital duty of the
our armed forces to protect their respective strategic assets.

18.2 Special Forces

What the specific divisions of the armed forces that are specially tasked to protect
India's strategic assets? These are -
• The National Security Guard (NSG) is a special forces unit which derives its

manpower from the Indian Army. The primary task of the NSG is to combat
terrorism in order to protect states against internal disturbances. The NSG engages
in important internal security operations like rescuing hostages from terrorist
attacks such as hijacking and eliminating the terrorists who carry out these attacks.
You can find many instances where the NSG has performed a brilliant role in
rescuing hostages from terrorist attacks.
• The `MARCOS' is also a special forces units of the Indian Navy. It is specially
tasked to protect the important naval assets and bases. They also engage in
conducting amphibious operations against terrorists and antipiracy operations.
They are the Navy's version of NSG.
The MARCOS commandos played a vital role during the 2008 Mumbai attacks
along with the NSG. MARCOS play an active role in the counter-terrorist
operations in J & K.

• The Garud Commando Force is the Special Forces unit of the IAF and
equivalent to its counterparts in the Army and Navy, which are NSG and
MARCOS respectively.
The most important task of the Garud Commando Force is to secure the critical
air force bases and other ground installations.

During the 2018 Pathankot airbase attack the Garud Commando Force played

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MILITARY STUDIES