A contingent of the Para Special Forces (Para SF), the special operations unit of the Indian Army, will be marching down Rajpath this Republic Day reports the ANI.
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Para SF was created in 1966 during the Indo-Pakistan War (1965). They came in existence under a maverick military endeavour undertaken by Major Megh Singh who constituted a small group of lethal soldiers to operate behind enemy lines and thwart enemy defences.
The current strength of the Para SF stands around 5000-6000 personnel. The Para SF has participated in many combat operations including Operation Bluestar, conflict in the Maldives and the 1999 Kargil War. Para SF is considered one of the oldest special force of India having real combat experience.
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Major Nikhil who will lead the contingent at the Republic Day stated – “We are taking part in the Republic Day parade. We will be depicting stealth, speed, specialized equipment and close teamwork during the parade.”
According to IANS, It was four teams of 70-80 Para Special Forces commandos from 4 and 9 Para units which carried out surgical strike on September 29, 2016, in Pakistan administered Kashmir. ]
The Army has nine battalions of Special Forces, each equipped and skilled to execute missions that require taking down targets across borders, infiltrating terror strongholds, high-speed strikes in populated areas and delicate rescue missions.
“The Para commandos have been involved extensively in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the eastern states in India,” Indian Army Spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand told IANS.
The theme of the Army for this Republic Day is ”Indian Army — Nation First”. There will be a total of 16 marching contingents, six from Army and the rest from the Navy, Air Force, CAPF, Delhi Police, NCC and National Service Scheme (NSS).
This year’s highlights during parade would be first-ever Army Air Defence marching Contingent, Atulya Radar attachment, Para Security Force contingent, K9 Vajra, 61 CAV (70th-time participation), a woman officer leading all men contingent and development of 155 mm and 45 calibre artillery gun system Dhanush.
