Most of the people are aware of the Parachute Regiment and Para Special Forces of Indian Army. But they get confused between the two. It is important to understand the functions and training procedure of both to distinguish clearly. We will try to know some key differences between the Para and Para SF of Indian Army.
About Parachute Regiment of Indian Army
Parachute Regiment (Para) is an elite airborne unit of Indian Army that inducts brave, courageous and fearless men. Soldiers who join this regiment must be fit enough to survive in any situation both physically and mentally. This Regiment demands more than the best of the soldiers.
Parachute Regiment is further divided into two units:-
- Paratroopers: This category has the soldiers that are trained for airborne missions. They have to perform operations by invading into enemy’s territory. Most of the time, this is done through airborne technique. The soldiers act as an infantry after jumping off through an aircraft with the help of a parachute. Paratroopers are the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions of Parachute Regiment. The soldiers in these Battalions are often confused with the Special Forces due to their Maroon Beret.
- Para Special Forces: Para Special Forces Battalions are formed by combining nine individually specialized units. The units which are part of the Special Forces are:
- 1 Para SF
- 2 Para SF
- 3 Para SF
- 4 Para Sf
- 9 Para SF
- 10 Para SF
- 11 Para SF
- 12 Para SF
- 21 Para SF
All these units are specialized in specific operations and are therefore trained for particular type of warfare like Mountain warfare, Jungle warfare, desert warfare etc.
Also Read, Lt. Col. Gaurav Solanki: Exceptional Soldier, True Friend & A Family Man.
Training Process Of Paratroopers
To call yourself a paratrooper, you must pass a long, exhausting and rigorous process of training. Very few men can successfully go through the 90 day probation cycle. This process is designed in a way to filter the candidates and as a result, men who possess unique capabilities makes it to the final day. The candidates are required to pass various kinds of physical as well as mental tests, which test the endurance of the candidates. In the probation period, candidates are subjected to sleep deprivation to test their will power and focus.
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The candidates who make to the final day are trained at Para Regimental Centre, Bangalore. After the training, the soldiers move to Parachute Training Centre, Agra to earn their prestigious Para Wings. After successful completion of probation, finally the candidates join their respective Para Battalions.
Another Probation For Joining Para Special Forces
Para Special Forces are one of the special forces of India. Therefore, the soldiers are expected to be the best. The paratroopers can join this force voluntarily. They are required to undergo another probation at Special Forces Training School in Himachal Pradesh. In the training, every unit trains for specific warfare to perform in the combat or rescue situation. In addition to that, the soldiers also get specialization in various aerial infantry techniques like High- Altitude- Low-Opening (HALO) and High- Altitude- High- Opening (HAHO). Personnel are extremely good at covert operations, cross border raids and targeted killing along with rescue operations. Para SF operatives are so well trained that they can survive in the enemy territory for hours without any external support.
Para Special Forces’ operatives can wear the special ‘Balidan Badge’ on their uniform, which they have earned with months of training. They also hold Special Forces Insignia on their shoulders as a part of the uniform. In the end, no matter a soldier serves in which unit. Every Soldier of Indian Army is best in his efforts to serve the country in the best possible way.
