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NEW DELHI: The Army is now raising the first lot of five ‘Bhairav’ light commando battalions, each with 250 specially trained and equipped soldiers, to enhance swift strike capabilities along the borders with Pakistan and China.The plan is to progressively raise 23 “agile and lethal” ‘Bhairav’ battalions from existing troops to bridge the gap between regular infantry soldiers and the elite Para-Special Forces. “The aim is to have the first five such units in place by Oct 31, though it can take a little more time,” a source told TOI.Three of the first five ‘Bhairav’ units are coming up under the Army’s crucial Udhampur-based Northern Command, one each for the 14 Corps at Leh, 15 Corps at Srinagar, and 16 Corps at Nagrota. The fourth unit is in the desert terrain of the western sector and the fifth in the hilly terrain of the eastern sector.The 11.5-lakh strong Army is drawing ‘Bhairav’ commandos from its regular infantry battalions, which number 415 (each has 800 soldiers), under the “save and raise” concept without fresh troop accretions. “Much smaller and nimble than infantry battalions, the ‘Bhairav’ units will be equipped with the latest weapons, gadgets and drones. They will be geared for speed, flexibility and high-impact tactical operations,” source said.These units will be in addition to the Army’s 10 Para-Special Forces and five Para (Airborne) battalions, each of which have 620 soldiers selected after arduous training, and are equipped with a wide array of specialised weapons and equipment.Though meant for special clandestine missions in high-risk environments, usually behind enemy lines, these crack units are often used for mere tactical operations. “The ‘Bhairav’ battalions, each with seven-eight officers, are also meant to relieve Special Forces, who can then concentrate on their more critical tasks,” another source said.The ‘Bhairav’ commandos will undergo specialised training for two-three months in their respective regimental centres and then be attached to the Special Forces units in their respective theatres for another month for advanced training.On July 26, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi had announced the move to set up new ‘Rudra’ all-arms brigades, ‘Shaktibaan’ artillery regiments, with special ‘Divyastra’ surveillance and loitering munitions batteries, and the ‘Bhairav’ battalions. He also said all infantry battalions will now have dedicated drone platoons, as was then reported by TOI.A new tri-service joint doctrine for Special Forces operations was, incidentally, released on Wednesday. Apart from the Army’s Special Forces, there are 27 ‘flights’ of around 1,600 ‘Garud’ commandos in IAF and over 1,400 marine commandos (Marcos) in Navy.”Special Forces, owing to their agility, strategic reach and mission-specific capabilities, are uniquely suited to generate disproportionate operational effect through precision engagement, deep insertion and unconventional operations,” said CDS General Anil Chauhan, in the doctrine’s foreword.
