As India’s security environment grows more complex, the Indian Army has steadily restructured its special operations framework to address a wider spectrum of threats—from conventional warfare to hybrid conflicts involving drones, cyber capabilities, and asymmetric tactics. Two distinct pillars of this evolving ecosystem are the Para Special Forces (Para SF) and the recently raised Bhairav Battalions.
While both are elite formations, their origins, structure, training, and operational roles differ significantly. Together, they reflect a layered approach to modern warfare, balancing strategic reach with tactical responsiveness.
Historical evolution
The Para Special Forces trace their roots to World War II, originating from the 50th Indian Parachute Brigade raised in 1941 under British command. After Independence, the Parachute Regiment was formally established in 1952. The regiment earned early distinction during the 1947–48 Jammu and Kashmir operations, cementing its airborne assault role.
The modern commando identity emerged in 1966 with the raising of the 9th Parachute Commando Battalion, inspired by operational lessons from the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Over the decades, additional battalions were converted or raised, including 1 Para (1978), 21 Para (1995), 11 Para (2011), and 13 Para (2022). Para SF units have participated in some of India’s most significant military operations, including the 1971 Chachro Raid, cross-border strikes in 2016, and reconnaissance during the 2020 India-China standoff.
The Bhairav Battalions, by contrast, are a contemporary innovation. Raised in 2025, they are part of the Indian Army’s modernization drive shaped by lessons from recent global conflicts and evolving border threats. The initiative aims to address capability gaps in hybrid warfare, rapid reaction, and drone-enabled combat. By October 2025, the first battalions were operational, with plans to raise 23–25 units drawn from existing infantry regiments. Their development was validated through large-scale exercises such as Akhand Prahar.
Organizational structure
Para SF consists of 10 special forces battalions within the Parachute Regiment, which overall includes 15 battalions. Each Para SF battalion has a strength of around 600–620 soldiers, with recruitment drawn from across the Indian Army through voluntary selection. The regiment operates under decentralized command structures aligned to different theatre commands, allowing operational flexibility. Individual battalions are terrain-specialised, such as mountain-focused or desert-oriented units.
Bhairav Battalions are smaller and more integrated formations. Each unit typically includes 200–250 soldiers led by 7–8 officers, sourced from infantry, artillery, signals, and air defence units. Around 15 battalions have been raised so far and are assigned to specific border formations, often following the “Sons of the Soil” concept. They operate within Rudra Brigades, which combine infantry, mechanised elements, and unmanned systems for rapid, multi-domain operations.
Roles and operational focus
Para SF units are designed for strategic-level missions. Their roles include counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, direct action, sabotage, hostage rescue, and unconventional warfare—often deep behind enemy lines. Their airborne capability enables covert insertion through HALO and HAHO jumps, making them suitable for operations such as the 2015 Myanmar strike and the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
Bhairav Battalions function as light commandos focused on tactical and operational-depth missions. Their mandate includes rapid offensives, shock raids, border security, and counter-insurgency support, particularly in regions such as Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. They are intended to bridge the gap between platoon-level Ghatak units and strategic special forces, allowing Para SF to remain reserved for high-value national objectives.
Training and selection
Para SF selection is among the most demanding in the Indian Army. The probation period lasts around 90 days, marked by extreme physical endurance tests, sleep deprivation, and high attrition rates. Successful candidates undergo 9–12 months of advanced training, including combat freefall, diving, jungle and desert warfare, and joint international exercises. Only after operational deployment do soldiers earn the maroon beret and Balidan Badge.
Bhairav Battalion training, while rigorous, is more focused on specialisation rather than extreme attrition. Training lasts around five months and emphasises high-altitude warfare, drone operations, modern surveillance, and rapid response tactics. Selection prioritises local terrain knowledge and operational agility, making the units more accessible while remaining highly specialised.
Equipment and modern warfare integration
Para SF units operate with advanced small arms, sniper systems, and specialised insertion platforms, supported by strategic airlift capabilities. Bhairav Battalions are deeply integrated into the Army’s technology-centric doctrine, leveraging drones, surveillance systems, and all-terrain mobility as part of Rudra Brigades, reflecting a shift toward network-centric warfare.
Strategic implications
The distinction between Para SF and Bhairav Battalions reflects a deliberate doctrinal shift. Para SF continue to serve as India’s premier force for strategic and covert operations, while Bhairav Battalions enhance tactical flexibility along sensitive borders. Together, they enable the Indian Army to respond effectively across the full spectrum of conflict—from localised hybrid threats to high-risk cross-border missions—underscoring India’s evolving approach to modern warfare.
