The Indian Army has initiated the process of raising its first batch of Bhairav light commando battalions, a significant step in strengthening its operational capabilities along the country’s northern and western borders facing China and Pakistan. Each battalion will comprise around 250 highly trained soldiers, making them much smaller, leaner, and more agile than the Army’s regular infantry battalions.
According to reports, five such battalions are planned to be operational by October 31, though the final induction timelines may extend slightly. These units are positioned as a vital force multiplier, designed to bridge the operational gap between conventional infantry and the elite Para-Special Forces.
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The structure and training of the Bhairav battalions underscore their role in enhancing India’s readiness for swift, high-impact tactical operations across varied terrains.
Of the first five units being raised, three will come under the Udhampur-based Northern Command, which directly manages the volatile Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and portions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Specifically, one battalion each will be positioned under the 14 Corps in Leh (focusing on the high-altitude Ladakh theatre), the 15 Corps in Srinagar (covering Kashmir), and the 16 Corps in Nagrota (watching the Jammu and Rajouri-Poonch sectors).
The remaining two will be deployed in strategically sensitive regions, one in the desert terrain of the western frontier with Pakistan and another in the challenging hilly terrain of the eastern sector facing China. This deliberate geographical spread ensures operational responsiveness across multiple high-risk theatres simultaneously.
The Army plans to eventually raise 23 such Bhairav battalions in phased stages. Importantly, this expansion does not require fresh recruitment, as the personnel are being drawn from the Army’s existing 415 infantry battalions, each made up of about 800 troops.
This reallocation follows a “save and raise” model, enabling the Army to optimise resources without a significant increase in manpower strength, which currently stands at approximately 11.5 lakh soldiers.
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The Bhairav battalions will be lean, carrying the weight of smart technology and superior firepower rather than sheer numbers. They will be equipped with the latest small arms, surveillance gadgets, and drones, reflecting the Army’s increasing emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies for tactical advantage.
Structurally, every Bhairav battalion will consist of 250 soldiers commanded by seven to eight officers and will receive specialised training tailored for rapid and flexible combat operations.
Their training program will span two to three months at their regimental centres, after which the units will undergo advanced, theatre-specific operational exposure by being attached to Special Forces units for about a month. This dual-phased approach ensures the troops are well-versed in precision tactics, night operations, drone usage, and counter-infiltration missions.
By design, these units are intended to execute quick strike and response missions, directly engaging in scenarios that fall outside the operational scope of regular infantry battalions but do not mandate the involvement of elite Para-Special Forces, who can then remain focused on high-risk, deep insertion and clandestine missions.
The raising of Bhairav commando units is not an isolated policy. It is part of a comprehensive restructuring under Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s modernisation vision. Alongside these commando units, the Army is also raising integrated Rudra all-arms brigades meant for rapid offensives, Shaktibaan artillery regiments equipped with Divyastra batteries for surveillance, precision-strike loitering munitions, and electronic warfare support.
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Furthermore, all infantry battalions across the Army will now feature dedicated drone platoons, marking a decisive shift toward network-centric warfare and the integration of unmanned systems into the battlefield.
These developments complement the broader tri-service doctrine that India unveiled recently, focusing on Special Forces operations. India’s tri-services special operations capability currently includes not only the Army’s Para-SF but also the Indian Air Force’s Garud Commando Force with 27 flights and around 1,600 personnel, and the Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS), a force of over 1,400 soldiers.
The new doctrine emphasises agility, stealth, mission-specific training, and disproportionate operational outcomes achieved through precision strikes and unconventional methods. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, in his foreword to the doctrine, highlighted the unique ability of Special Forces to create strategic impact far out of proportion to their size, reinforcing their role in India’s future combat strategy.
In sum, the establishment of the Bhairav commando battalions exemplifies a major transitional step in the Indian Army’s war fighting capability, one that blends agility, speed, and technological integration.
Their presence will allow for swift and decisive action in cross-border contingencies, hybrid warfare scenarios, and localised flare-ups along high-friction frontiers. By sharing the operational burden with Special Forces while retaining tactical superiority over conventional infantry, these units represent a layered approach to India’s military modernisation.
The plan for 23 such battalions reflects a long-term strategy to add depth, flexibility, and resilience to India’s defence posture against its two principal adversaries, ensuring the Army is better positioned for swift offensive and defensive manoeuvres in today’s complex security environment.
Based On ET News Report
Agency
