CoBRA Commandos in Red Corridor

Introduction to CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolution Action)

India is a country with diverse cultures and a rapidly growing economy. With a large diversity, it faces many challenges from both external and internal sources. Among all of this one persistent and formidable challenge to India’s national security is Maoist insurgency. Concentrated in the Red Corridor which is a region spanning several Indian states, notorious for harbouring left-wing extremist activities. The red corridor states mostly consist of widely spread jungles which make it easy for insurgents to operate undetected. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) established specialised units, including CoBRA. The CRPF raised the Commando Battalion for Resolution Action (CoBRA) in 2008. The CRPF raised a total number of 10 battalions of CoBRA commandos by 2011. These battalions are specialised in jungle warfare and actively participate in anti-Naxal operations across the country. 

Red Corridor: A hub to Maoist insurgency

The term red signifies the communist ideology of the insurgents and corridor describe the contiguous areas with strong insurgence presence. The Red Corridor stands for the region in the eastern, central and southern parts of India. Maoist insurgency, also known as the Naxalite movement, significantly affects these regions. This red corridor includes Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra. 

This moment began in the late 1960s in Naxalbari, West Bengal and has spread to various parts of the country. The aim of the maoist is to overthrow the Indian government through people’s war and replace it with a communist state. They hold a strong presence in regions with dense forests and rugged terrain. This terrain favours Maoist guerrilla tactics, allowing them to hide quickly and conduct surprise attacks on forces. Apart from taking advantage of dense forests and relying on guerilla warfare, they often target political leaders and impose parallel governance structures in areas under their control. 

Red corridor holds significant importance to Maoists as it allows them to maintain bases in remote areas, where they can train, recruit and sustain their insurgency. It also acts as a logistics network allowing them to spread their influence across a wide region. The Red Corridor poses a major threat to India’s national security and is a big hurdle for the development of marginalised.

Tactics and Operations of CoBRA 

CoBRA commandos are trained in the CRPF jungle warfare institution in Belgaum and Koraput. Their training goes along the lines of other commando forces of the country such as the National Security Guard (NSG). They were raised with the sole purpose of countering insurgencies in the Red Corridor. CoBRA commandos have become a key force in combating Maoists in guerrilla warfare using jungle warfare skills, intelligence gathering and specialised counter-insurgency tactics. Unlike conventional police forces or army units, CoBRA forces were trained to deal with asymmetric warfare, employing guerrilla tactics that mirror those of the Maoists. These commandos are highly trained for both combat and survival in the jungle which is one of the most challenging terrain for any combat. Their creation was a direct response to the growing intensity of the Maoist insurgency, which had gained momentum in several states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal. 

CoBRA’s commandos are selected from CRPF units and are trained to survive in the challenging environment of the jungle. Their training comprises a high-stress environment where combat is likely to occur in dense forests. CoBRA’s training program includes ambush tactics, jungle survival, and intelligence-gathering expertise. 

CoBRA commando battalions are one of the well-equipped commando forces within the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) with some of the equipment being manufactured indigenously by Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board. 

1. INSAS 
2. Excalibur Assault Rifle
3. AK series Assault Rifles
4. X-95 Assault Rife 
5. FN FAL
6. 9MM 1A Auto Pistol
7. Glock Series Pistols
8. H&K MP5 Submachine gun
9. Carl Gustav recoilless rifle 
10. Dragunov SVD sniper rifle 
11. Steyr SSG 69
12. H&K MSG-90 Sniper Rifle
13. Multi Grenade Launcher System (MGL) 40x46mm 

Impact on National Security

The contribution of CoBRA commandos to India’s national security cannot be overstated. They have been instrumental in containing and reducing the influence of Maoist insurgents in several regions of the Red Corridor. By neutralising key leaders and dismantling Maoist infrastructure, COBRA has weakened the insurgents’ ability to wage war against the Indian state.

One of CoBRA’s most significant contributions is the safeguarding of critical infrastructure in the Red Corridor. Maoists frequently target infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and power plants, aiming to disrupt economic development and isolate the region further. CoBRA’s presence and proactive operations have significantly reduced these attacks, ensuring that development projects continue and that the region is more integrated into the national economy.

CoBRA’s efforts have also helped in reducing the overall number of violent incidents in Maoist-affected areas. The success of their operations has forced many Maoist cadres to surrender or flee to more remote regions, leading to a decrease in insurgent activity. In areas where CoBRA has been particularly active, there has been a noticeable improvement in law and order, encouraging local populations to cooperate more actively with state authorities.

Additionally, the presence of CoBRA units has boosted the morale of other security forces operating in the Red Corridor. Their expertise and successful operations have served as a model for other forces engaged in counter-insurgency, leading to better coordination and more effective strategies across the board.

Successful Operation conducted by CoBRA Commandos

1. During one operation conducted in West Bengal, 2010 CoBRA commandos were successful in neutralising the top Maoist leader Kishenji. This operation resulted in a serious blow to the Maoist leadership and demoralised their cadres.
2. CoBRA units conducted a series of operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, eliminating several Maoist leaders, destroying multiple camps, and leading to a significant reduction in Maoist activity in the area.

In addition to counter-insurgency operations, CoBRA commandos are now also involved in several high-profile security missions, rescuing kidnapped civilians and government officials from Maoist captivity. Their ability to execute precise and swift operations has earned them a reputation as one of India’s most effective counter-insurgency forces.

COBRA’s Future in India’s Security Landscape

As the Maoist insurgency continues to pose a threat to India’s internal security, the role of CoBRA commandos will remain crucial. The government has recognised the need for specialised forces to tackle the insurgency, and CoBRA’s jungle warfare expertise makes them the ideal choice for future operations in the Red Corridor.

In the coming years, CoBRA is expected to play larger role in the government’s strategy to neutralise the Maoist insurgency. This will likely include more intensive intelligence-driven operations, greater use of technologies, and closer coordination with state police forces and other central agencies. Additionally, CoBRA commandos will be increasingly involved in development-oriented tasks, such as ensuring the smooth implementation of government projects in Maoist-affected areas. CoBRA’s operations in the Red Corridor will significantly help in delivering development to the unreach populations.