Fighting Left-Wing-Extremism through Special Task Forces

In an era when extremists across India are resorting to asymmetric violence to achieve their stated goals, Andhra Pradesh’s Special Task Force, the Greyhounds have been an effective security force, their recent successes in the state provide a ray of hope. Asymmetric warfare is characterised by an anonymous enemy and unconventional fighting tactics, its foot soldiers emanating from places hidden to the public eye. Such warfare cannot be won through conventional forces. Thus, the need for specially trained para-military forces. The constant reverses that the United States face in Afghanistan and terrorism-ridden India and Pakistan also calls for a review of the efficacy of technology-driven warfare in combating asymmetric warfare. Under such circumstances, the recent success witnessed by Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh in curbing the insurgents comes as a ray of hope. Even Wilcox and Wilson, through their study have shown that the United States was more successful in Afghanistan in the period 21st October to 1st to 15th December in forcing Taliban and Al Qaeda into the mountains when it used Special Operation Forces than in the previous six months when US used air strikes based on technical intelligence targets. These facts suggest that Special Task Forces, like the Greyhounds being used to counter Maoist guirellas, are better suited for fighting insurgency.

The area along the Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chattisgarh borders has emerged as a hot bed of insurgency. In fact the Maoists have their presence in a large patch running through Eastern Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar, described as the ‘Red Corridor’. The state of Andhra Pradesh deserves special focus not only owing to the greater presence of Naxalites in the area (22 out of 23 districts are reported to be infected with the ultra-left organisations such as the CPI-Maoist) but also because they have taken the lead in efforts to curb this menace. The role and contribution of the Greyhounds needs to be explored.

The Greyhounds were raised in Andhra Pradesh in 1989. All officers and men are recruited on deputation from the various organisations of Andhra Pradesh police and are given special training in fields craft and weapon handling, development of physical fitness and mental alertness. The training is designed such that the police can take on the guerrillas on their own turf, and in their own style. Ranjit Shekhar Moosahary, former  DG, NSG and BSF says: “The Greyhounds manual and its training course is of a very high standard. Only the best policemen of Andhra Pradesh are selected. I have watched them train and rank them very highly. They are not far behind the NSG.”

The Greyhounds have been successful in wiping out the insurgents from Nallamala, Palnadu, and north Telangana regions in Andhra Pradesh and assisted the state-police of Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, and Orissa, in their anti-Naxalite endeavours. Since June 2000, the Greyhounds have also trained police personnel of other states affected by left wing extremism in commando techniques. 

So, what is so unique about specially trained units such as these as opposed to the conventional forces of the Army operating in places such as the North-east? What is that makes them so adaptable and efficient in fighting insurgency?

The Greyhounds consist of around 2,000 (the exact number has not been disclosed by the government) senior personnel (only the best from the police force make up to it) moving in compact bands of 15-25 commandos (the small size helps in infiltrating deep into the jungle) properly equipped with night vision glasses, bullet proof vests, sleeping bags and dry rations. Drawn from the state police force, these forces have first hand knowledge of the topography and are also in a better position to gain intelligence from the local population, considered crucial to any counter-insurgency operations. The best part of such forces is that they function more or less independently which enables them to take decisions on the ground.

The present internal security scare calls for more Special Forces (like Greyhounds). The states infested with Naxalism have been demanding additional forces from the centre (Jharkhand is demanding 12,000 additional forces, Chattisgarh 8,000 while Orissa has demanded 5,000 Para-military personnel) to meet the threat. However instead of providing these states the additional forces, it would be more economical and feasible for the Centre to raise more Special Task Forces, an indication of which was visible when the Prime Minister gave the assurance that it will look into the formation of more of such commando forces on the pattern of Greyhounds. However despite getting an in-principle clearance the Union Home Ministry has not sent the proposal to the Union Cabinet for approval . The Home Ministry continues to sit on the much needed and much awaited proposal of Special Anti-naxal Naxal Force (SAF) patterned on the Greyhounds. Considering the fact that the virus of left-wing extremism has spread its tentacles in thirteen states of the country, the Home Ministry needs to act without further delay.
 

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies).