US, other leading armies want to train, learn from Indian Special Forces
30 Oct 2009, 1244 Hrs

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Agra, Oct 30 The Red Devils, the elite Special Forces of the Indian Army, are most sought after by the leading armies of the world who want to learn and train with them for their courage, professionalism, adventurism and spirit of soldiering.

Para commandos are elite special forces of Indian Army. They are the largest and most important part of the Special Forces of the country. The parachute units of the Indian Army are among the oldest airborne units in the world. On April 15, 1952, by absorbing three parachute battalions the Parachute Regiment was finally formed.

"I think the US Army and its Special Forces wants to train with us. They are actually surprised by achievements and experiences, which the Indian Army has. That is why they all want to interact and have training with us," Colonel of the Parachute Regiment, Lt. General P C Katoch told ANI.

"It is not the Americans alone with whom we are training. We are also training with British and Russian forces," Lt. General Katoch said during the paratroopers' reunion in Agra on Tuesday.

US Army Special Forces have learnt HAHO ((High Altitude High Opening) techniques from Para Commandos in 1992, underwater training in 1995 and anti-terrorism training in 1997.

A team of US soldiers came to Agra in 2002, which is home to the Indian Army's elite Paratroopers Training School, where Army and Navy personnel are trained. It is also the base of the 50th Para Brigade.

Replying to a question on benefits of exercising with US soldiers who operate in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. General Katoch said: "Of course we are benefiting with their experience. It is a process from where you learn from each other and know how they operate and types of equipment they use."

He also added that the Indian Army is ready to have a joint exercise with Pakistan if they give up their designs of spreading terror inside India.

Commenting on the deployment of Special Forces in Naxal affected areas; Lt. General Katoch said it is for the government to decide and whenever a decision is taken, the Special Forces are ready to operate anywhere.

The US and soldiers from France, UK, Israel and Italy have sought India's help to train in counter-insurgency operations at the counter insurgency and jungle warfare school (CIJWS). By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)

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