Nicknames and Roles of PARA SF Battalions

During the war of 1965, a commando unit, named Meghdoot Force was formed comprising of officers and soldiers from infantry units under Maj Megh Singh of the Brigade of the Guards.

The unit was highly successful in cross-border operations during the war which forced the Indian Army and the government to create specialized forces to conduct operations that are a bit complex for normal forces.

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Meghdoot Force was then transformed into parachute force because para trooping is one of the most important commando tactics. Thus in July 1966 under the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, the creation of 9 Para SF took place which was the first special ops unit of the Indian Armed Forces. On 1 July 1967, 10 Para SF was raised as a sister unit of 9 Para SF.

Since then other regiments creation also took place and Para SF regiments proved their mettle in the 1971 War, Operation Blue Star, Operation Cactus, Operation Pawan, Kargil War, and many more including recent surgical strikes where terror camps in PoK were demolished.

Currently, there are various regiments of Para SF each specializing in different forms of warfare.

Today we will be reading about some of the most prestigious amongst them.

1 Para SF :

Raised in 1761 and converted to Para SF in 1978, are the oldest unit of the Parachute Regiment. Specialize in tactical needs and urban warfare. They are known by the name of “Red Devils”.  Maj Mohit Sharma AC SM served in the elite 1 Para SF.

2 Para SF :

Originally raised as the 3rd battalion of Maratha Light Infantry in 1797 and were converted to SF in 2000. Specialize in Mountain Warfare/ Counter-Terrorism ops. Famous by name of “Predators”

3 Para SF

Originally raised as 1^st battalion of Kumaon Regiment and were converted to SF in 2002. Specialize in Desert Warfare. Famous by name of “Russel’s Viper”.

4 Para SF

Originally raised as  Para Airborne Unit in 1961 and were converted to SF in 2003. Specialize in Mountain Warfare, Counterinsurgency and Counter-Terrorism ops. The unit played a key role in Surgical Strikes inside PoK in 2016. Famous by name of “Daggers”.

9 Para SF

Raised as 9^th Parachute Commando Battalion and later named 9 Para they are the oldest special forces unit of Indian Armed Forces. Specialize in Mountain Warfare, Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism ops. 9 Para also was instrumental in Surgical Strikes of 2016. Famous by name of “The Mountain Rats”.

10 Para SF

Raised as a sister unit of 9 Para this unit was raised in 1967. Specialize in Desert Warfare, Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism ops. 9 Para also was instrumental in Surgical Strikes of 2016. Famous by name of “Desert Scorpions”.

11 Para SF

Raised in 2011 as a Special Forces Unit, the unit specializes in Jungle Warfare, Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism ops. Famous by name of “Vipers”.

12 Para SF

Originally raised as 23^rd Battalion this unit was converted into SF in 2011. Specialize in Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare, Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism ops. Famous by name of “Dirty Dozens”.

 21 Para SF

Originally 21^st Battalion of Maratha Light Infantry the unit was converted to SF in 1996. Specialize in Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare, Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism ops. Famous by name of “Waghnaks”.

Parachute Regiment has two territorial army battalions

• 106 Para
• 116 Para

Following units of SF are trained in Airborne Assault:

• 5 Para
• 6 Para
• 7 Para
• 23 Para
• 29 Para

NAME OF THE BATTALION	YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT/ CONVERSION	ROLE	NICKNAME
1 PARA SF	1761/1978	Urban Warfare	Red Devils
2 PARA SF	1797/2000	Mountain Warfare, Counter Insurgency	Predators
3 PARA SF	1813/2002	Desert Warfare	Russel’s Viper
4 PARA SF	1961/2003	Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency	Daggers
9 PARA SF	1966	Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency	Pirates
10 PARA SF	1967	Desert Warfare, Counter Insurgency	Desert Scorpions
11 PARA SF	2011	Jungle Warfare	Vipers
12 PARA SF	2011	Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations	Dirty Dozens
21 PARA SF	1985/1996	Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare and Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations	Waghnaks

Also Watch: Why PARA SF Is Called ‘Glass Eaters’

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