PAKISTAN AND INDIAN SPECIAL FORCES

TRAINING:


Pakistan
As with their Indian counterparts, personnel of Pakistan's SSG are airborne-qualified and probably air-assault-qualified. Elements of the SSG are known to be HALO-qualified, and it is likely that they are HAHO-qualified as well. Personnel of the SSG receive training at the following schools: airborne (Peshawar), mountain warfare (Abbottad), combat diver (Karachi), and desert warfare. The SSG trains and exercises with other SF from Great Britain, the United States, Turkey, and Jordan. As for languages, English is widely used in Pakistan, although it is not an official language. It is likely that the SSG possesses linguists fluent in certain western Indian dialects.


India
The personnel of each Para Cdo Bn are airborne-qualified and probably air-assault-qualified as well. Certain detachments of these Bns are also trained in high-altitude high-opening and low-opening (HAHO/HALO) operations. Members of the U.S. Army SF participated in joint HAHO training with the Indians in 1992. Other joint training between the U.S. and Indian SF consisted of underwater training in 1995 and anti-terrorism training in 1997. Para Cdo Bns are trained in desert warfare (10th Bn) and mountain warfare (9th Bn). It is likely that certain elements of India's SF, the 9th Bn in particular, are trained to operate at extremely high altitudes, such as the Siachen Glacier. Little is known about language training within the Indian SF, but it is likely that all SF personnel are capable of at least rudimentary English, one of India's official languages, and that some personnel are trained in Chinese and certain Tibetan and Pakistani dialects.

MISSIONS:


Pakistan
The SSG is capable of carrying out the following missions: counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency, security for very important people and places, reconnaissance, raids, and riverine operations. The SSG has been accused by India of supporting and participating in incursions into India's portion of Kashmir. Such activities will continue until the political issues surrounding Kashmir are resolved.

Another role for the SF of both countries would be long-range reconnaissance and possibly direct-action missions against the other country's ballistic missile forces and weapons-of-mass-destruction facilities. The most likely scenario would involve sets of small teams locating such missiles and facilities and reporting their precise coordinates to be used for a preemptive strike. If Pakistan or India develop or purchase smart munitions, another possible role for their SF will be to act as target designators.


India
The Para Cdo Bns are capable of carrying out the following missions: counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, counter-insurgency, security for very important people and places, reconnaissance, raids, peacekeeping, and sabotage. One likely current and future mission would be cross-border reconnaissance and raids into the Pakistani held areas of Kashmir. These missions would be focused against Islamic militants that operate in India but are supplied from and trained in Pakistan.