Ghatak Platoon

Ghatak platoon commandos.

Their operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoons and STA platoons of the US Marine Corps,the Commando platoons of the British Army, Ranger Regiments of the US Army and the Commando Ranger Regiments of the Republic of Korea Army. They can also be referred to as Special Forces units especially Special Operations Forces .They can be tasked by the battalion or brigade commander to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance, raids on enemy artillery positions, airfields, supply dumps and tactical headquarters. They are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within enemy lines.[2]

A Ghatak platoon is usually 20-men strong, consisting of a commanding Captain, 2 non-commissioned officers and some specialised soldiers like sniper teams, light machine gunners, medics and radio operators. The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers. In some cases the platoons are backed with Commando officers and other ranks , like Sapper (Combat Engineers), Signalmen (Combat Signals) and Gunners (Artillery) for specialized tasks like demolition, intercepting enemy communications and conducting artillery fire on specific positions. [3][4]

The most physically fit and motivated soldiers of all arms and services of the Indian Army either volunteer or are selected to be a part of the Ghatak platoon. Personnel attend training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum, Karnataka.[2] As a part of the training, the soldiers are evaluated through speed marches in battle gear ranging from 20 to 60 km, carrying their rifles and 20 kg of weight in their rucksacks. Depending on their role and parent unit, the successful individuals often undergo specialized training in demolition, close quarter battle, navigation, rock climbing and heliborne assault. Some operators are sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and the Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School as well.[2] However, most of them are not parachute qualified. It is mandatory for all infantry officers to pass the Commando Training Course.[2]

Ghatak platoons are equipped with the IWI Tavor TAR-21, INSAS, or a version of the AK-47 as their primary assault rifle. The marksmen are equipped with the Dragunov SVD and Heckler & Koch MSG-90 designated marksman rifles. They wear standard issue camouflage and body armour.[2] Depending on the mission, they may carry other items like ropes, climbing gear, grenades, rocket launchers, laser target designators and night vision equipment. Some of the equipment for them are manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories, while other items are obtained from foreign suppliers.[5][6]

Currently, the Indian Army is upgrading the equipment of these units by procuring lighter body armour, personal communication sets, anti-materiel rifles and various other mission specific equipment.[7]. A deal worth $5.75 million was signed with M/S B&T Switzerland for the acquisition of 1,568 advanced Brügger & Thomet MP9 sub-machine guns for the Ghatak platoons of infantry battalions.[8] Additionally, door breaching ammunition and non-lethal systems like stun grenades and ballistic shields are being procured for counter-insurgency operations.[1]

Gren. Yogendra Singh Yadav of the 18th Battalion, The Grenadiers was a part of the Ghatak platoon during the battle of Tiger Hill in the Kargil War, for which he was awarded India's highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra.[9]

Lt. Navdeep Singh of the 15th Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry was the Ghatak platoon commander during an operation to ambush 17 well-trained and armed terrorists who had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir state, for which he was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra.[10][11]

Capt. Chander Choudhary Sihag, the Ghatak platoon commander in The Grenadiers, was killed in action on 9 September 2002, during a search and destroy operation against insurgents in Dubri village in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse was the Ghatak platoon commander during a night operation during Operation Vijay in 1999 during the Kargil War. After sustaining a bullet wound, he still carried on with the operation, finally shooting dead two men and killing two others using his knife in hand to hand combat. He was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra.[12]