INDIA’S SECRETIVE SPECIAL

FRONTIER FORCE
AKA
VIKAS BATTALION

04-9-20
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04-9-20
 There have been reports that a Special Frontier Force (SFF) unit,
referred to as Vikas Battalion, has been instrumental in occupying
some key heights on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in
Ladakh to thwart any occupation by the Chinese troops.

04-9-20
 WHAT IS THE SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE (SFF)?
SFF was raised in the immediate aftermath of the 1962 Sino-India war.
It was a covert outfit which recruited Tibetans Refugees settled in
India (now it has a mixture of Tibetans and Gorkhas) and initially went
by the name of Establishment 22.

04-9-20
It was named so because it was raised by Major General Sujan Singh
Uban, an Artillery officer who had commanded 22 Mountain
Regiment.

04-9-20
 Headquartered in Chakrata
(Uttarakhand), it comprises at least
five battalions or about 5,000
commandos who are elite
paratroopers trained in mountain
warfare.

The SFF and R&AW work in close

coordination.

04-9-20
 ARE SFF UNITS PART OF THE ARMY?
Strictly speaking, the SFF units are not part of the Army but they
function under operational control of the Army.

It now falls under the purview of the Cabinet Secretariat where it is

headed by an Inspector General who is an Army officer of the rank of
Major General.

The units have their own rank structures which have equivalent status
with Army ranks.

04-9-20
 The units that comprise the SFF are known as Vikas battalions.

They are highly trained special forces personnel who can undertake a
variety of tasks which would normally be performed by any special
forces unit.

Women Soldiers Too Form A Part Of SFF Units And

Perform Specialised Tasks. 04-9-20
 WHAT ARE THE MAJOR OPERATIONS IN WHICH SFF
UNITS HAS TAKEN PART?
There are several overt and covert operations in which SFF units have
taken part over the years. They took part in operations in the 1971 war,
Kargil conflict and in counter-insurgency operations in the country.

There are several other operations too in which the SFF has
participated but the details are classified.

04-9-20
 WHAT WAS THE SFF ROLE IN 1971 WAR?
In 1971, the SFF operated in the Chittagong hill tracts in East Pakistan
(later Bangladesh) to neutralise Pakistan Army positions and help the
Indian Army advance ahead. The operation was code-named
‘Operation Eagle’.

A large number of SFF personnel received awards for their bravery.

04-9-20
NIGHT OF 29/30 AUGUST

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The force had been pressed into use along the Line of Control with
Pakistan, but the unit was never used in action against the Chinese.

Given that China has made most of its advances in Aksai Chin and rest
of eastern Ladakh through covert means, the use of a highly trained
unit in the same mode of warfare meant business for India.

04-9-20
 A TIBETAN MESSAGE
China has launched a fresh drive to change the cultural identity of
Tibet.
On August 29, Xi Jinping said the Chinese military needed to strengthen
its defences in Tibet and administration to sinicise Tibetan religion and
culture in sync with the principles of the Communist Party of China

04-9-20
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retired), former GOC of 15 Corps, said, “I have
had ‘Vikas’ units alongside me while serving in Ladakh. Seen them play
volleyball in vests at 16,000 feet. Their natural affinity for the ground too
is very high, giving them a major advantage in operations.”

04-9-20
 STAY TUNED…

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