Para (Special Forces)
Para (Special Forces), also known as Para Commandos or Para (SF) Commandos, is a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian Army. These units specialize in various roles including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-insurgency and direct action.
| Para (Special Forces) | |
|---|---|
Balidan Badge of the Para (SF) | |
| Active | 1 July 1966–present (57 years, 7 months) |
| Country | India |
| Branch | Indian Army |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | |
| Size | 15 battalions |
| Part of | Parachute Regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | Bengaluru Cantonment, Bengaluru |
| Motto(s) | Men apart, every man an emperor Shatrujeet (The Conqueror) |
| Colours | Maroon |
| Anniversaries | 1 July |
| Engagements | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Battle of Chamb Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions Operation Blue Star Operation Cactus Operation Pawan Operation Sunrise Operation Golden Bird Kargil War Operation Rakshak Operation Khukri 2015 counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar 2016 EDI-Pampore Building Attack 2016 Line of Control strike |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Gen. Pushpendra Singh SM** |
| Insignia | |
| Balidan Badge or the Badge of Sacrifice | |
| Parachute Regiment cap badge | |
| Special Forces shoulder tab | |
| Parachute Wings chest patch | |
The unit's heritage stems from World War II, with the creation of the 50th Parachute Brigade in October 1941 under the British Indian Army. 9 Para (SF) was raised in 1966 as the 9th Parachute Commando Battalion (as part of the Parachute Regiment) and is the oldest among the fifteen Para (SF) units of the Indian Army. It has been involved in various operations including the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 (including Chachro Raid) , Operation Bluestar, Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus, Kargil War, Operation Ginger, 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar, 2016 Pampore stand-off, 2016 Indian Line of Control strike and in several anti-terror operations.