01-27-2009, 02:36 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Elite anti-terror force on anvil</b>
Pioneer.com
Rahul Datta | New Delhi
Mumbai attack galvanises Govt to act fast
Jolted by the Mumbai terror attack, the Government is likely to give the go-ahead for the formation of a Special Forces Command with its own trained commandos, aircraft and other systems to deal with terror situations. The Special Forces would also operate behind the enemy lines in times of war.
The proposed Special Forces Command would be on the lines of similar formations in the US, Russia and Israel. In fact, the budget for the US Special Forces Command was more than the defence budget of several countries, including India, sources said here on Monday.
<b>Once the Special Forces Command is in place, the Army would mesh these highly trained commandos with the National Security Guards (NSG) and also deploy them in case of any emergency, like Mumbai.</b>
The proposal to raise the Special Forces Command was mooted a long time ago and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Shimla, was entrusted with the responsibility of drafting a concept paper. The concept paper has been gathering dust with the Government for over two years now.
The Mumbai terror attack seems to have galvanised the Government into fast-tracking the move, sources said. The Army has also speeded up the process of acquiring sophisticated arms and ammunition that would be used by the Special Forces.
Sources said the Government was likely to review the proposal for the Special Forces Command in this backdrop. Citing reasons for the renewed interest, the changing nature of warfare and role of terrorism and the role played by the US Special Forces during the Iraq war in 2001, sources said India has decided to put in place a top-class formation within a time frame.
Officials are studying the role played by the US Special Forces in the Iraq war to incorporate it in the mandate of the Indian Command. The US Special Force commandos landed in Iraq before the actual operations began and collected vital intelligence about strategic targets and key Iraqi military installations. The pinpoint intelligence helped the US artillery and air force to hit the targets with accuracy and avoid collateral damage and cripple the Iraqi military communications network.
....
<b>Countering Terror</b>
Terror attacks force Govt to set up Special Forces Command
Outfit to have own trained commandos, aircraft and other systems to deal with terror
Will also operate behind enemy lines in times of war
To be on the lines of formations in the US, Russia and Israel
Proposal mooted a long time ago and Army Training Command was asked to draft a concept paper
Army speeds up process of acquiring sophisticated arms, ammunition for the Special Forces
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pioneer.com
Rahul Datta | New Delhi
Mumbai attack galvanises Govt to act fast
Jolted by the Mumbai terror attack, the Government is likely to give the go-ahead for the formation of a Special Forces Command with its own trained commandos, aircraft and other systems to deal with terror situations. The Special Forces would also operate behind the enemy lines in times of war.
The proposed Special Forces Command would be on the lines of similar formations in the US, Russia and Israel. In fact, the budget for the US Special Forces Command was more than the defence budget of several countries, including India, sources said here on Monday.
<b>Once the Special Forces Command is in place, the Army would mesh these highly trained commandos with the National Security Guards (NSG) and also deploy them in case of any emergency, like Mumbai.</b>
The proposal to raise the Special Forces Command was mooted a long time ago and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Shimla, was entrusted with the responsibility of drafting a concept paper. The concept paper has been gathering dust with the Government for over two years now.
The Mumbai terror attack seems to have galvanised the Government into fast-tracking the move, sources said. The Army has also speeded up the process of acquiring sophisticated arms and ammunition that would be used by the Special Forces.
Sources said the Government was likely to review the proposal for the Special Forces Command in this backdrop. Citing reasons for the renewed interest, the changing nature of warfare and role of terrorism and the role played by the US Special Forces during the Iraq war in 2001, sources said India has decided to put in place a top-class formation within a time frame.
Officials are studying the role played by the US Special Forces in the Iraq war to incorporate it in the mandate of the Indian Command. The US Special Force commandos landed in Iraq before the actual operations began and collected vital intelligence about strategic targets and key Iraqi military installations. The pinpoint intelligence helped the US artillery and air force to hit the targets with accuracy and avoid collateral damage and cripple the Iraqi military communications network.
....
<b>Countering Terror</b>
Terror attacks force Govt to set up Special Forces Command
Outfit to have own trained commandos, aircraft and other systems to deal with terror
Will also operate behind enemy lines in times of war
To be on the lines of formations in the US, Russia and Israel
Proposal mooted a long time ago and Army Training Command was asked to draft a concept paper
Army speeds up process of acquiring sophisticated arms, ammunition for the Special Forces
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->