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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|Joint formation of the Indian Armed Forces responsible for special operations}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Armed Forces Special Operations Division
| native_name =
| image = Armed forces logo.png
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| dates = 28 September 2018 (established)<br />November 2019 – present (operational)''<ref name=":2" />
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance = [[India]]
| branch =
| type = [[Unified combatant command|Sub-unified combatant command]]
| role = [[Special Operations Forces]]
| size = 3,000 (estimate)
| command_structure = [[Integrated Defence Staff]]<ref name=":0" />
| garrison = [[Agra]] or [[Bengaluru]] (TBD)<ref name=":0" />
| garrison_label = Headquarters
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| current_commander = {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Major Generals, Army Headquarters.png}} Maj. Gen. J. S. Nanda SM
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The '''Armed Forces Special Operations Division''' ('''AFSOD''') is a [[Joint warfare|tri-service]] command of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. The division is tasked to carry out [[special operations]]. The AFSOD draws personnel from all three [[Special forces|special warfare]] branches of the Armed Forces.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-names-officers-for-tri-service-divisions/article27142117.ece|title=Centre names officers for tri-service divisions|last=Peri|first=Dinakar|date=2019-05-16|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

[[Indian Army]] [[Major general|Major General]] A. K. Dhingra, who is a war veteran from the [[Para SF]], was appointed in May 2019 as the first head of the AFSOD. <ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2019-05-15|title=Maj Gen A K Dhingra appointed as the first Special Operations Division Commander|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/maj-gen-a-k-dhingra-appointed-as-the-first-special-operations-division-commander-119051500395_1.html|access-date=2022-01-09}}</ref> The division is expected to be converted into a full sized [[Joint warfare|tri-service]] [[Command (military formation)|command]] in future.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
The Naresh Chandra Task Force was set up in July 2011 by [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] [[Shivshankar Menon]] to review the recommendations of the [[Kargil Review Committee]], assess the implementation progress and further suggest new reforms related to national security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/manoj-joshi/story/national-security-naresh-chandra-gom-manmohan-singh-cabinet-committee-on-security-ministry-of-defence-chandra-committee-iaf-army-218292-2013-11-22|title=Shutting his ears to change|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|author-link=Manoj Joshi (journalist)|website=[[India Today]]|date=22 November 2013|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PR140301_The_Unending_Quest_to_Reform_India_National_Security_System.pdf|title=Policy Report: The Unending Quest to Reform India's National Security System|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|date=March 2014|publisher=[[S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies]]|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> The task force was led by [[Naresh Chandra]], retired [[Indian Administrative Service]] officer, and comprised 13{{Nbsp}}other members, including [[Gopalaswami Parthasarathy]], [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy]] (Retd), [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Arun Prakash]] (Retd), [[Lieutenant General]] [[V. R. Raghavan]] (Retd), [[Anil Kakodkar]], [[K. C. Verma]] and [[V. K. Duggal]]. The committee conducted the first holistic review of national security since the Kargil Review Committee and submitted its classified report to [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] on 23 May 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/naresh-chandra-task-force-to-recommend-permanent-head-chiefs-of-staff-committee/20120523.htm|title=All eyes on Naresh Chandra report on natl security today|website=[[Rediff.com]]|date=23 May 2012|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Among its recommendations, the Task Force recommended the creation of a [[Defence Cyber Agency | cyber command]], an [[Defence Space Agency | aerospace command]] and a special operations command. All three units were proposed to be tri-service commands in order to bring the various special forces units of the military under a unified command and control structure.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/book-defence-reform-3.pdf|title=Defence Reforms: A National Imperative|editor-last1=Kanwal|editor-first1=Gurmeet|editor-last2=Kohli|editor-first2=Neha|year=2018 |publisher=[[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]]|isbn=978-93-86618-34-4|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/may/16/formation-of-indian-armed-forces-special-operations-unit-begins-to-have-3000-commandos-1977651.html|title=Formation of Indian armed forces' special operations unit begins, to have 3000 commandos|last=Singh|first=Mayank |website=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=16 May 2019|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> The AFSOD is a downsized implementation of this proposal.<ref name=":2" />

The creation of the AFSOD was approved by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] during the Combined Commanders' Conference at [[Jodhpur Airport|Jodhpur Air Force Station]] on 28 September 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pm-narendra-modi-attends-combined-commanders-conference-in-jodhpur/articleshow/65996826.cms|title=PM Narendra Modi attends Combined Commanders' Conference in Jodhpur|date=2018-09-28|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

=== Initial exercises ===
The division concluded its first exercise, code named 'Smelling Field', on 28 September 2019.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/special-ops-division-carries-out-wargames-near-pakistan-border20190929182841/|title=Special Ops Division carries out wargames near Pakistan border|date=29 September 2019|agency=Asian News International|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> The exercise was carried out in the district of [[Kutch district|Kutch]] in the state of [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/armed-forces-special-ops-division-carry-out-war-games-near-pakistan-border-1604568-2019-09-29|title=Armed Forces Special Ops Division carry out war games near Pakistan border|last=Negi|first=Manjeet Singh|date=29 September 2019|website=India Today|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> The exercise was meant to help in ironing out, and subsequently addressing the challenges faced by the division.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/defence/new-tri-services-special-ops-division-meant-for-surgical-strikes-finishes-1st-exercise-today/298445/|title=New tri services special ops division, meant for surgical strikes, finishes 1st exercise today|last=Nayak Dutta |first=Amrita |date=28 September 2019|work=[[ThePrint]]|access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref>

A second exercise, code named 'DANX-2019', was subsequently held in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].<ref name="deployed">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-navy-air-force-special-forces-deployed-jointly-to-hunt-terrorists-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/72209212.cms|title=Army, Navy, Air Force Special Forces deployed jointly to hunt terrorists in Kashmir valley|date=2019-11-24|agency=Asian News International|access-date=2019-11-24|via=The Times of India}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
The AFSOD will function under the [[Integrated Defence Staff]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=2019-05-15|title=Major General A K Dhingra appointed as the first Special Operations Division Commander|agency=[[Asian News International]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/major-general-a-k-dhingra-appointed-as-the-first-special-operations-division-commander/articleshow/69339545.cms|access-date=2019-09-25|via=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Units from all the three [[Special Forces of India|special forces]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] will be stationed in the division.<ref name=":1" /> The division is expected to be fully operational by November 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-begins-setting-up-new-tri-service-agencies-to-handle-special-operations-space-and-cyberspace/articleshow/69346012.cms|title=Agencies take shape for special operations, space, cyber war|last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=15 May 2019|agency=Times News Network|via=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

=== Role ===
The AFSOD is expected to serve as the main organisation responsible for carrying out [[special operations]] within and outside India.<ref name=":0" /> They are expected to carry out missions such as targeting high-value installations and degrading the war-fighting capabilities of hostile nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/armed-forces-special-operations-division-formed-the-best-of-the-armed-forces/1579236/|title=Armed Forces Special Operations Division formed: The best of the Armed Forces|date=2019-05-15|website=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> The rationale behind the creation of this division is to pool the special abilities of each of the [[special forces]] units of the Armed Forces and enable them to operate together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-gets-new-special-ops-division-that-can-cripple-targets-miles-inside-enemy-territory/235786/|title=India gets new Special Ops Division that can cripple targets miles inside enemy territory|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex |date=15 May 2019|website=ThePrint|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The division will also help in reducing operational costs, since it will enable each of the special warfare units to utilise common equipment.<ref name=":4" />

=== Components ===
The division is expected to have around 3,000 soldiers, though the exact number remains classified.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/govt-initiates-steps-to-create-special-forces-division-1557922751354.html|title=Govt initiates steps to create special forces division|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2019-05-15|website=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> The main components of the AFSOD are:<ref name=":1" />

*'''[[Para (Special Forces)]]''': The Para SF is the special warfare branch of the [[Indian Army]]. They will form a major portion of the AFSOD.<ref name=":3" />

*'''[[MARCOS]]:''' The MARCOS is the special warfare branch of the [[Indian Navy]]. It is specialised in operations in a maritime environment, although it can operate in all environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-abhimanyu|title=INS Abhimanyu |website=indiannavy.nic.in |publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

*'''[[Garud Commando Force]]''': The Garud Commando Force is the special warfare branch of the [[Indian Air Force]]. They are tasked to undertake missions in support of air operations. They are deployed at important military bases and assets and conduct search and rescue missions during wartime.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IAF-to-form-commando-force-to-protect-airbases/articleshow/23873243.cms|title=IAF to form commando force to protect airbases |date=1 October 2002|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|via=The Times of India|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=134524|title=Brief: Garuds (IAF Special Forces)|date=15 January 2016|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

*'''Other systems''': The division will be given operational control of transport aircraft, specialised weapon systems and surveillance equipment.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/page1/india-to-raise-its-own-seals.html|title=India to raise its own SEALs|last=Datta|first=Rahul |date=18 January 2019|website=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]]|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>

==Deployments==

=== Jammu and Kashmir ===
On 24 November 2019, the AFSOD was operationally deployed for the first time in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] to conduct [[insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|counter-insurgency]] operations in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-navy-iaf-special-forces-deployed-in-kashmir-to-hunt-terrorists-1622243-2019-11-24|title=Army, Navy, IAF special forces deployed in Kashmir to hunt terrorists|date=24 November 2019|access-date=24 November 2019|website=India Today|last=Negi |first=Manjeet Singh}}</ref><ref name="deployed" />

== See also ==
; Integrated entities
* [[Defence Planning Committee]], tri-services command at policy level with NSA as its chief
* [[Defence Cyber Agency]], tri-services command
* [[Integrated Defence Staff]], tri-services command at strategic level composed of MoD, MEA and tri-services staff
* [[Integrated Command]]
* [[Defence Space Agency]], draws staff from all 3 services of Indian Armed Forces
* [[Strategic Forces Command]]
** [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|Indian Nuclear Command Authority]], Strategic Forces Command
** [[Special Forces of India]], tri-services, R&AW and internal Security each has own units

; Assets
* [[List of Indian Air Force stations]]
* [[List of Indian Navy bases]]
* [[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
* [[List of countries with overseas military bases#India|India's overseas military bases]]

; Other nations
* [[Special Operations Forces (Russia)|Special Operations Forces Command (KSSO)]]
* [[Joint Special Operations Command|Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)]]

; General concepts
* [[Joint warfare]], general concept
* [[Minimum Credible Deterrence]]
* [[List of cyber warfare forces]] of other nations

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Military of India}}

[[Category:2018 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2018]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of India]]
[[Category:Special forces of India]]
[[Category:Joint military units and formations of India]]

Armed Forces Special Operations Division - Revision history

Bot at 17:30, 30 November 2022