India’s Elite Tri-Services Commando Unit Takes Shape, Major General AK Dhingra Appointed Chief

In a major step towards setting up of an elite Indian tri-services commando unit, Major General AK Dhingra has been appointed as the first chief of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division.

The tri-services formation will have Special Forces commandos from Army’s Parachute Regiment, Navy’s MARCOS and Air Force’s Garud Commando Force.

According to an India Today report, the recruitment for the tri-service special operations division is underway and it will soon have a substantial number.

The division will boost India’s capability to conduct frequent surgical strikes like tactical operations and secret missions. It will reportedly carry out secretive missions both within and outside the country. The focus of this tri-service special force will be to conduct anti-terror missions targeting terror infrastructure.

"Sometimes, these kinds of operations require skills that need to be synergised from all three wings of the armed forces," sources were quoted in the India Today report as saying.

According to the report, the division will initially have 150-200 personnel but the number will be gradually increased to 2,000.