Special Operations Group (India)

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is a 1000-strong elite anti-insurgency force of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. It 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 of the Special Operations Group 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 group is a volunteer force comprising police officers and policemen. The volunteers come for different reasons: some genuinely want to fight anti-India insurgents, while some are lured by the incentives offered.

Every militant killed by the group earns it between 35,000 (US$560) and 50,000 (US$790), according to a police officer. Bonuses are paid for arresting the militants and capturing arms and ammunitions. There are also 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.

See also

• Special Operation Group of Odisha, India