Ghatak Force

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Ghatak Units or Ghatak Commandos are elite infantry platoons attached to each infantry battalion of the Indian Army. There is one platoon of these soldiers in a battalion.

Their role is to act as shock troops or storm troopers, spearheading assaults against enemy positions, with or without support from rest of the battalion. These objectives may range from machine gun posts, bunkers, urban strongholds or mountain peaks (as done with exemplary courage during the Kargil War).

Ghatak literally means "Dangerous" or "Striker" in Hindi.

A Ghatak Unit is usually 18 man strong consisting of a Commanding Captain, 2 NCOs and some special teams like sharpshooter / sniper and spotter pair, light machine gunners, radio operators, flamethrower trooper. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers.

These soldiers go through the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka. Often, other specialized training like rock climbing, advanced weapons training, close quarter battle and infantry tactics are also given. However, most of them are not parachute qualified or trained in special warfare.

The Para Commandos, Marine Commandos, Garud Commandos and National Security Guards fulfill the Special Forces roles on a national level.

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