Special Operations Group (India)

The 1000-strong Special Operations Group, an elite anti-militancy force of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Special Operations Group was raised in 1994 with the idea of 'involving the passive Jammu and Kashmir Police in the anti-terrorist activities and giving a local face to these operations'.

Overview

The recruits are young men from all the regions of the state and reflect Jammu and Kashmir's various ethnic groups: Kashmiris, Gujjars, Dogras and Sikhs. Many of them are the victims of militancy in the state.The SOG was a volunteer force comprising police officers and policemen. The volunteers came for different reasons: some genuinely wanted to fight the militancy of the anti-India outfits, while some were lured by the incentives offered.

The benefits are many. Every militant killed earns the SOG Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000, according to a police officer. Extra is paid for arresting the militants and capturing arms and ammunitions. Then there are the out-of-turn promotions. Hundreds of officers have risen up the ranks while hundreds of policemen have become officers in a matter of a few years, thanks to their stints in the SOG.

The group operates in tandem with the paramilitary forces and sometimes with the Indian Army. It shares its intelligence with the central government forces.

The group is responsible for numerous murders and disappearences of innocent Kashmiris.