Making of Predators | Vital installations, buildings in South India under complete SF radar

PART-IV

  By Anantha Krishnan M | Express News Service

Bangalore:The Special Forces (SF) unit of the Indian Army based in Bangalore has quietly mapped all big government and private establishments in South India to act quickly and effectively in case of a terror strike. “We are ready to take off at very short notice and can be deployed in any part of South India,” its Commanding Officer, who did not wish to be identified, told Express.
Operating from a 180-acre erstwhile military farm, the unit is in regular touch with the Internal Security Division (ISD), Karnataka’s counter-terrorist police unit. The Special Forces unit was established in Bangalore five years ago in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 164 lives.
Over these five years, the unit has prepared dossiers with detailed layouts of every major government, private and commercial establishment in the four southern states. These are stored in the form of satellite images, photos and maps at the unit. A few years ago, the SF team had done a mock drill on the 13th floor of Bangalore’s ITPL after entering the building through the 16th floor. It executed another mock drill at a Wipro unit.
In 2011, the unit collaborated with NSG Commandos and conducted security training at a Taj hotel. In 2011, the unit went on a UN mission to South Sudan. “Our boys have done recce missions at almost all places in Bangalore which are VAVPs,” said the CO. In army terminology, VAVP stands for Vital Area, Vital Point. The unit has trained with the ISD and the two are geared to work together on specific inputs. “Mysore is also on our radar,” he said. Force-1, the elite special commando force of Maharashtra designed on the lines of NSG, was trained by the SF unit, while Karnataka’s ISD had sought its help. 

An Army aviation unit using advanced light helicopter Dhruv makes regular visits to the unit. The Indian Air Force station in Yelahanka is the nearest air strip available for the SF to launch major missions.
Man Behind the Machine Counts: “Our main aim is to make the weapon and the man one identity. He needs to walk, run, sleep and jump with his equipment. It should be a part of his life. Finally, it is the man behind the machine that counts,” he said. SF operatives have many weapons of foreign origin which can be used for a variety of operations, ranging from a surgical strike to annihilation of a target as big as a football field.
Following the Mumbai attacks in 2008, the Central government created NSG hubs in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkota and Mumbai, while Bangalore got the SF unit. Bangalore’s increasing traffic has been the unit’s biggest enemy, and it seeks special clearances every time it carries out a routine exercise.

(Series concluded)                Copyright@The New Indian Express            

Making of Predators | Hell Week: Most-dreaded training capsule for SF soldiers

PART III

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: For every solider dreaming to become a Special Forces (SF) operative will have to cross one of the most dreaded training modules spread across seven days. The Hell Week, embedded towards the fag end of the three-month probation period, aims to put a soldier under acute stress mode. A solider gets to sleep for only three hours during the entire week.
During a visit to the SF unit in Bangalore, an official told Express that Hell Week ascertains the mental and psychological endurance levels of a soldier. “It is an intense pressure checking mechanism, specially designed by experts. The main feature is sleep deprivation for days together, though you will get to sleep for a couple of hours, again the schedule will be decided by the instructor. There’s restriction on the food pattern and you can eat only what is provided and when it is provided,” he said.
During the Hell Week, a solider is also assessed on the level of training in ambush, camouflage, concealment, surveillance and firing. “In addition, there’s an IQ test, written assignment, night PT and psychological assessment. Every five to 10 minutes, the physical and mental stress levels are changed and alternated. The instructors too keep changing every six hours,” the official said. Soldiers are tested for their patience levels and also their ability to perform under heightened stress conditions. All these training patters are done with a stand-by medical team and ambulance kept ready 24 x7.
The soldiers are also made to swim with hands and legs tied and even put into mud and water again and again. “The experienced divers keep a close watch on these exercises. There’s a surprise element in every aspects of the training during the Hell Week. You will never know what the next mission is and when it would get over. The probation ends with this seven-day unforgettable session,” the official said.
Post Hell Week, a solider gets to know about the limits of stress his mind and body can withstand. “A rare sense of belief sets that there’s nothing impossible for a man. It also helps to know each and every part of the body better. The confidence will reach unbelievable levels. In SF, we look for the right man for the right job,” says the official. The concept of Hell Week is extremely popular among the Navy SEAL selection and training in the United States.
There are many who give up the dream of becoming a SF operative during the Hell’s Week. And, there are many others, who complete the final seven-day module and yet not get selected. “Our motto is Balidan, means Sacrifice. Our motto says it all,” says the official.
(Concluding part, tomorrow)

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Making of Predators: Taking a soldier beyond his physical and mental limits

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The traffic on the road was slowly picking up the numbers. Most signal lights were still orange. Newspaper hawkers were exhibiting their speed skills in despatching sorted-out bundles. Soon after descending one of the Bangalore’s famous flyovers, you would find a simple gate painted in maroon. There are no boards. It is still darkness and gun-toting soldiers check the credentials to ensure that they are letting in the right man. 

PART-II

You have just entered a Special Forces (SF) unit of Indian Army, an elite group, operating out of one of the oldest erstwhile military farms in the country. It was around 5.45 am and the SF boys were all lining up for the roll call. “We are called Predators, a very fascinating nickname. In 15 minutes, we will begin the Predators' PT,” the Commanding Officer (CO) of the unit, who did not want to be named, told Express. At 6 am, with no sign of sunrise yet, the Predators began their PT sessions. “You cannot be a passenger in SF. It is a voluntary job, but we demand the best out of the boys. We push them beyond their limits,” says the CO. The training is split into three modules: physical, skill (basic/ advance)  and collective.

A volunteer  assignment: Bangalore’s chilly weather was definitely making the PT session tougher with longer time needed for the body to warm up. “Our main job is to convert a soldier into a SF operative. We have a three-month probation capsule, which is really tough. We also focus the knowledge levels of the solider. Only soldiers can volunteer to join SF, and we don't recruit civilians directly,” says the CO. During the probation period, there’s no difference between an officer and a soldier. A solider has to go through a mutual assessment process, Hell’s Week and weapon training. Hell’s Week is the most-dreaded seven-day training period, packed with modules that will make the faint-hearted give up the SF dream. “Only 10 out of 40 are finally selected. The best of the best are earmarked for Special Operations. We also give exposure to the training patters of armies of other countries as well,” he said.

The rejection rate in SF is relatively high as the selected soldiers, who are physically good, mentally sharp and really intelligent, need to be a complete team players as well. "Last year, we had 12 officers who volunteered to be in SF and only three fit the bill after the probation. The selection process happens every quarter and there are no set numbers that come in. Some times, all the 10 people who join get rejected. It depends on the quality of the batch received. On an average 30-40 per cent is our  selection rate," the CO said.

Intensity matters: When asked about the minimum height a solider requires to become an SF operative, an officer posted at the unit said, laughing: "It is not the size that matters, but the intensity that counts in a fight. The acceptable standard set by all recruiting agencies throughout India for normal soldiers is our limit as well (157.5 cm). And the hill tribes get further relaxation."

The most unique part of the training is the Tyre PT, with huge trucks need to be lifted by a buddy pair  a number times.  There are no set rules that if a man does 'X' number of push ups, he becomes a SF guy. There are certain mandatory tests specific to his arm strength (vertical rope, horizontal rope) which he needs to pass. A soldier below 30 years needs to run 5 km with battle load (rifle + 3.2 kg load) in 23 minutes. Two minutes are added for those between 30-40 age and five minutes for those above 45 years. 

A soldier need to sprint 60 meters with same load in less than 13 seconds and also climb 10 meters vertical rope and traverse a horizontal rope. He also needs to clear a nine-foot ditch in battle gear. Finally, he needs to run 20 km with rifle and 18.5 kg load in less than 2 hours 20 minutes; 30 km in less than 3 hours and 40 min and 40 km in less than 5 hours and 40 minutes to fulfil some of the selection criteria. 

Advanced firing styles: Once selected, a soldier gets advanced training in urban operations, room intervention and weapon firing. Even the physical training modes gradually get on to the toughest grades. While the officials refused to talk about the weapon training sessions, soldiers who have passed the SF route said that the most-advanced style of firing is taught. Training is given in firing with both hands, and using different kinds of weapons simultaneously. An SF operative is trained extensively on rifles, pistols, snipers, LMGs, MMGs, ATGMs and missiles and can even  strip his weapon blind folded.

An SF squad roughly constitutes six members and they include specialists in demolition, navigation, communication, medicine and weapon, with the sixth man being the commander with outstanding leadership qualities. “Our modes of insertions vary from a freefall from an aircraft, para jumping, slithering and even by sea route. We also need to sharpen our language and culture skills,” says an officer. 

Romancing the SF: Lt Ankur Sharma, hailing from Solan in Himachal Pradesh, has just begun his probation period. The 23-year-old from Corps of Signal holds a B Tech in Telecommunication and IT. “In my college days I was really good in running and after joining the Army, I was attracted towards the SF as I found them physically solid. If I get through, I am hoping to get good exposure,’ says Ankur, whose father is in the textile industry and mother looking after the household chores.

Gunner Veeranna M is from Karnataka’s Dharwad and comes from a family of farmers. He has 3 brothers and two sisters. “I have always  been a fearless guy. I want to put my best foot forward and see if I can convert my brave instincts into getting an SF assignment. It is tough, but I think I will make it,” says Veeranna. Similarly, Lt S Shaym, the 22-year-old from North-East, believes that being in SF is the best. “Best equipment and best men around. My ultimate dream is to become a good Army officer,” says Shyam.

Non-stop training: Every SF soldier needs to be proficient in martial arts and they are trained in PKTE, a Pilipino-based aggressive self-defence form. Once the probation period is cleared, a solider will have to undertake para jumps once a year. These jumps are run in Hoskotekere, near Bangalore and also in Central India. “Once, you clear the probation period successfully, you earn the right to wear the Maroon Beret cap. “It’s a great sense of pride wearing the Maroon Beret. Not all soldiers are lucky to have this. The units izath (pride) becomes part of your life, because only you would know how much you had to push the body to earn the Maroon Beret,” says the CO.

Training is one thing which never stops in SF. After successful completion of basic and mandatory courses, individuals are further put through a selection procedure for further specialist training in High Altitude warfare, Jungle warfare, Covert and clandestine operations, hostage rescue apart from other specialist operations. "The philosophy of the training is 'Specialisation to the Core.' The wastage ratio is very high in SF because professional requirements are very high and it is a well known fact that SF cannot be mass produced. They are the chosen few, because they are the Predators,"  adds the CO.

As the boys assembled at the PT ground in the evening for their scheduled games, the setting sun spewed some dying strokes straight onto a small hillock inside the military base. The hillock had a message painted on it, which read: Skill x Will x Drill = Kill.
The traffic on the flyover reminded that you will need only one gear to drive, making a mockery of some of the most advanced driving systems inside your car. It was pitch dark once again and, the Predators were seen slowly disappearing into the darkness.

Copyright@The New Indian Express