Ghatak Force

Ghatak Force
Country	India
Branch	Indian Army
Type	Special Operations Infantry
Role	Shock Troops Special Operations Special Reconnaissance
Size	7000[1]
Part of	One platoon per infantry battalion

Ghatak Platoon, or Ghatak Commandos, is a special operations capable infantry platoon. There is one platoon in every infantry battalion in the Indian Army.^[2] Ghatak is a Hindi word meaning "killer" or "lethal". They act as shock troops and spearhead assaults ahead of the battalion.^[2]

Role

Their operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoon, STA platoon of the USMC and the Patrols platoon of the British Army. They can be tasked by the battalion or brigade commander to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy artillery positions, airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters. They are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within enemy lines.^[2]

Unit composition

A Ghatak Platoon is usually 20-men strong, consisting of a commanding Captain, 2 non-commissioned officers and some special teams like marksman and spotter pairs, light machine gunners, medic and radio operator. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers.^[3][4]

Training

The most physically fit and motivated soldiers in an infantry battalion are selected to be a part of the Ghatak Platoon. Most undergo training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka.^[2] Often, other specialized training like heliborne assault, rock climbing, mountain warfare, demolitions, advanced weapons training, close quarter battle and infantry tactics are also given. Members of the platoon are also sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School.^[2] However, most of them are not parachute qualified. It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando Training Course.^[2]

Equipment

These units are equipped with the Tavor TAR-21, INSAS or a version of the AK-47 as their primary assault rifle. The marksmen are equipped with the Dragunov SVD rifle and Heckler & Koch MSG-90 sniper rifles. They wear standard issue camouflage and body armour.^[2] Depending on the mission, they may carry other items like ropes, climbing gear, grenades, rocket launchers, laser target designators and night vision equipment. Some of the equipment for the special forces are manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India ^[5][6] while other items are obtained from foreign suppliers.

Currently, the Indian Army is upgrading the equipment of these units by procuring lighter body armour, personal communication sets, anti-materiel rifles and various other mission specific equipment.^[7]

A deal worth $ 5.75 million was signed with M/S B&T Switzerland for the acquisition of 1,568 advanced Brügger & Thomet MP9 sub-machine guns for the Ghatak platoons of infantry battalions.^[8] Additionally, door breaching ammunition and non-lethal systems like stun grenades and ballistic shields are being procured for counter-insurgency operations.^[9]

Honours

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav of 18 Grenadiers was a part of the Ghatak Commando platoon during the action on Tiger Hill in the Kargil War, for which he was awarded India's highest gallantry award the Param Vir Chakra.^[10]

Lt. Navdeep Singh of 15 Maratha Light Infantry regiment was the Ghatak platoon commander during an operation to ambush 17 well-trained and armed terrorists who had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir state, for which he was awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry award the Ashoka Chakra.^[11][12]

Capt. Chander Choudhary (Sihag), a captain of the Ghatak Platoon of The Grenadiers Regiment was killed in action on 9 September 2002, during a Seek and Destroy operation against insurgents in Dubri village in Udhampur district.

See also

• Special Forces of India
• Para Commandos
• MARCOS
• Garud Commandos

References