Friday, October 9, 2009

SSG Organization

Pakistani Special Forces have 10 battalions (bns):

Each battalion consist of 700 men in four companies, with each company split into platoons and then into 10 men teams. Battalions are commanded by Lieutenant Colonels

Plus three independent commando companies:

  • Zarrar (Jarri)Battalion - Specializes in Counter Terrorism
  • Musa (Moses) Amphibious operations company
  • karrar (Hadri)Battalion - Specializes in Counter terrorism
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SSG Information












Overview

In 1953-54 the Pakistan Army raised an elite commando formation with US Army assistance. To disguise its true mission the new unit was simply designated 10 Bn. of The Baluch Regiment The battalion was posted to a new headquarters at Cherat near Attock City. In march 1964 a Mobile Training Team from the US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne) went to Pakistan to set up a new airborne school at Peshawar for 19 Baluch. The school included basic and jumpmaster courses. All members of 19 Baluch were airborne-qualified. The training team also included four riggers, who helped train Pakistani counterparts.

By this time 19 Baluch was already considered the SSG (Special Services Group) which was divided into 24 companies. Each company had specialization units, specialized in desert, mountain, ranger, and underwater warfare. The desert companies participated in training exercises with US Army Special Forces Mobile Training Team in late 1964. The scuba company in Karachi was renowned for its tough physical training.

In 1970 an anti-terrorist role was added. This mission was given to the Musa Company, an independent formation within SSG. The name was given after the name of Prophet Musa (Moses). The company was originally formed in 1970 as a combat diver unit. In 1980 however each company was given a diver unit. After the Musa company was converted to an anti-terrorist unit, it received training by British SAS advisors in Cherat during mid-1981.

In 1986 SSG began a large-scale basic training program for Sri Lankan Paramilitary militia forces. Commando and airborne training was given to members of the Sri Lankan Commando Regiment.

SSG units have also been seconded in covert operations in Afghanistan during the Afghan war, as air marshals on passenger airlines and as VIP security. At present, the SSG maintains its headquarters at Cherat and runs the Airborne School at Peshawar. Two SSG battalions are normally rotated through Cherat with a third battalion divided between the border and other strategic locations such as the Terbella Dam and nuclear research facilities. Each SSG battalion numbers 700 men in four companies. Each company is split into platoons and further sub-divided into 10 men teams. Battalions are commanded by Lieutenant Colonels, the group is currently run by a Colonel.
SSG officers must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSG; NCO and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG. All trainees must participate in an eight-month SSG course at Cherta. The SSG course course emphasizes tough physical conditioning. Included is a 36-mile march in 12 hours, a grueling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear. Following the SSG course, trainees must volunteer for Airborne School. The course last four weeks, with wings awarded after seven (five day, two night) jumps. none SSG airborne students only have to complete a the five day jump.

Many in the SSG school are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO course is given at Peshawar with a 'skydiver' tab awarded after 5 freefall jumps. A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Abbotsbsd; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi. three classes of combat swimmers were recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18-mile swim; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim. SSG regularly sends students to the US for special warfare and airborne training. later on due to Siachen crisis, a Snow and High Altitude Warfare School was also established.










While they were designated 19 Baluch, the Pakistani special forces were distinguished by a green beret with the Baluch Regt. beret insignia on a maroon flash. A 'Baluch' tab, black with a maroon background, went on left shoulder. Combat uniforms were Khaki. The SSG dropped the green beret in favor of a maroon beret. A silver metal SSG beret is worn in a light blue felt square. A bullion SSG para wing with a black cloth background is worn on the left chest. A red cloth version is worn by master parachutist who has at least 50 jumps. SSG "Riggers" wear a wing with the English word 'Rigger' stitched across the wing. A distinctive SSG badge featuring a dagger framed by lightening bolts, used since 1964 by members of 19 Baluch goes on the left shoulder; qualification tabs and badges such as Skydiver, SCUBA, or Mountain Warfare go on the right shoulder. A silver metal SSG insignia is occasionally worn on shoulder straps.
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SSG Photo


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SSG Army

Pakistan Army’s SSG Commando Battalion

Posted on August 21st, 2009 by admin in army batallion | 25 Comments »

SSG Commandos marching on the 23rd march parade.

“Yeh Ghazi yeh tere purasrar bande,
jinhen tune baksha hai zauqe khudaai
Do neem in ki thokar se sehra wa darya
simat kar pahar inki haibat se rai”.

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Technorati Tags: armed, Army, Commado, Commandos, defence, forces, military, Pakistan, Parade, SSG
25 Responses

1. MrSpiky47 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

No matter what …
No matter what corruption there is here and there… These young brothers have always risked their lives and kept us and our family’s safe. Alhamdulilah we are far better off than in other places around the world, where starving and suffering is every day. May Allah protect these men, and let us all follow our Beloved’s (PBUH) example. Just stop for a moment and think how blessed we are to even have a roof above our heads and food on the table everyday. Shukar Ya Rabi
2. samprasant Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

have courage and …
have courage and claim there dead bodies and give them a decent burial like a dead … u stupid paki
3. DashingJut Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

great
great
4. TheThunderfighter Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

plzzz dont say …
plzzz dont say anything about army becaz i didnt accept any harsh word about my gr8 army and also army is my heart and my life and my everything long live my all brother in ssg and army
5. videomust Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Pak need small but …
Pak need small but strong army like Israel,2 lakh regular soldiers,its Air power win wars,PAk bribe&black mail by USA bcz EMF&world bank loans needed 2 run large army
6. thirstyvampire001 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

kool dude, If Army …
kool dude, If Army lost all wars according to you than please can you elaborate or give us hint what our loyal humble Democratic leaders did with this country. How many dams they had built please name at-least one. Would be very thankful to you.
7. wingully Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

all so expose the …
all so expose the sing sikh hindu’s in islam who call themself jata jewsdery or juadery’s they kill other muslim’s that come from true islam.they all so kill in asaad kashmir and jamu kashmir, the sing hindu’s kill on both side, in pakistan they call themself pir profit’s of islam this is how the hindu’s shatan’s do and punjabee
8. blackjihadi Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

mumbai was a …
mumbai was a killing field thx to ten brave militant pakis
9. dominicharbatiie Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

This is the true …
This is the true face of Katua MUSLIM:

M- Maha madarchod kaum
U- Ulta paida hone wala(Apni bahan ki chut se)
S- Suar ki aulad
L- Lund bur jante pagamburrrr chate
I- Imam ki jhaant ka baal
M-Moh ali jinna ki potti
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha jor se bolo——–
Katua Maadar chod
Prem se bolo——-
Suar ki Aulaad
Saare Milkar bolo———jai Hindustan
10. MASTERJAX Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Put history aside. …
Put history aside. In this future coming war (Almighty Allah knows best) I believe this will be the time for the emergence of Imam Mahdi who InshAllah will unite all the Muslims from various sects, making an army capable of striking and invading. Europe along with India is on the list. Western Europe has already been invaded with millions of Muslims from Asia, Arabia and North Africa. Watch the Arrivals series over Youtube for the truth!!!!!
11. puloman1 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Taleban is the real …
Taleban is the real army of allah..not this Napak army….all of them will end in
12. seabear145 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

arra tu GAY hind …
arra tu GAY hind Bool Na
13. seabear145 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

some genrals are …
some genrals are bad in whole army, you can’t blame whole army.
14. shaukatmalik Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Pakistan army has …
Pakistan army has lost every war they have fought. They are only capable of capturing , Prime Minister House, PTV, DHA & corner plots. What a waste of a poor country’s resources.
15. Nazi302 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Their would be no …
Their would be no in peace progress b/w two countries is that clear to you n you should take a look at ur own army Indian Army Officers caught in Bomb blast of samjhota xpress now who disturbed the in peace progress and in 1971 bullets were fired on our back that doesent make ur indian army Brave or Elligent to fight suckers the whole Gandoostan is a great mother er
16. zoxo100 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Umm Bangladeshi …
Umm Bangladeshi people won the East Pakistan war-scrawnt Indo’s came to eat the cake. even then 600k poverty stricken indo’s came against 40k pak soldiers. West Pak umm! who took chunks of rajastan and had to return it. Umm BDR thrashed Indo army on boarder war. Oh! head AMERICANS asked Pak to withdraw not the pathetic Indo scrawnt head wearing womens scarf on their head using BOFORS guns umm which swiss account does the money lie in
17. prajaymehta420 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

well said, thats …
well said, thats fantastic!!!!

one problem though, which army lost the kargil war? oo oo and umm, which army was unable to defend its territory, which is now called.. umm… i keep forgetting, whats the name again…. oh yeah, bangladesh. aww shuggums, i’m not saying being indian makes me better than you, i’m just saying, its in morons like you lot (indian and pakistani) who will always hamper the cooperation and peace progress of the two countries
18. Safleena1 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

DEATH TO ALL GANDU …
DEATH TO ALL GANDU HINDUS AND ALL
JEWS.
19. zoxo100 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

After the Americans …
After the Americans said lately ‘kashmir has to be resolved in line with the aspirations of the kashmiri’s’ and told the scrawny indo army to pull back 2 divisions from the kashmir front-next we hear the Indoi FM say army will be withdrawn from towns, Uncle sam ney indo kee-ley lee.
20. zoxo100 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

India has a …
India has a 2million army and gets there kicked by tamil tigers, madagascar army, maoists, amese liberation army and most of all Ivory coast rebels when they were doing UN duty. Indian soldiers came back barefoot, vests and shorts-how humiliating can that be. More humiliation was when the UN asked Pak troops to take over and bring order which they did. The Indian General asked to withdraw and was packed off to bombay in cargo ship with his troops. Pak army sey kahan larao gey, chut-ee-ay.
21. smano555 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

than why your …
than why your coward Army and coward genral signed a paper in kargil that they will never allow suchthing toi happen again
you porkiare barking dogs,
not just banglasdesh we kicked u out of Siachin and sir creek also which were under porkistan before
22. smano555 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

92000 paistani …
92000 paistani surrendered ..in 1971 read books
23. zoxo100 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

so when has the …
so when has the thin scrawny so called army of india ever won any wars-thrashed by china, booted out by sri lanka, aided by Bingos to break east pakistan from pakistan-thin scrawny indo’s had no part in the Bangladesh victory-so slp up. even the amese thrash this underfed rag tag of an army.
24. zoxo100 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Because the …
Because the kashmiri’s want to be with pak and if u so ‘ha!ha! confident then just have a referandum,asshooooooole!

who wants to live under statue worshipping monkeys.
25. candyblack7 Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

ha ha ha indian …
ha ha ha indian army is wayy better! we beat u at 3 f****n wars! how much more do u want?! were gonna beat u at the next war too. dont talk about r country if u dont know wats happening to urs! we have a president,urs had to give up! we dont have taliban but u do! u r**e women we dont! shave ur beards please!!!!!!! we dont want uncleanshaven men! STOP DYING FOR ALLAHS SAKE U PORKIS! ALLAH HATES PEOPLE LIKE U! ALLAH O AKBAR!
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SSG VIDEO

Pakistan Army Ssg Video

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Pakistan Army Ssg

The Pakistan Army SSG Commandos during training over the game one blood

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PAK ARMY (SSG)

Special Service Group

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Special Service Group
SSG (1).jpg
Special Service Group Formation Insignia outside their headquarters at Cherat.
Active March 23, 1956- Present
Country Pakistan
Branch Pakistan Army
Type Special Forces
Size Six Battalions
Part of Pakistani Special Forces
Garrison/HQ Cherat, Attock
Motto Faith, Piety, to strive in the path of Allah
Anniversaries March 23, 1956
Engagements Operation Gibraltar
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Siachen Glacier
Kargil War
Operation Silence
Counter Terrorism Operations
United Nations Military missions
War In Afghanistan
Abbreviation SSG

Special Service Group (SSG) is an independent commando division of the Pakistan Army. It is an elite special operations force similar to, yet lacking the skill of the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and the British Army's SAS.

Official numbers are put at 2,100 men, in 3 Battalions; however the actual strength is classified.[1] It is estimated to have been increased to 4 Battalions, with the eventual formation of 2 Brigades of Special Forces (6 Battalions). According to Indian analyst, Mandeep Singh Bajwa, the SSG "are formidable opponents and easily rank as one of the finest special forces in the world."[2]

Soldiers of the SSG are commonly known as the Black Storks

Contents

[hide]

[edit] History

Based out of Cherat and Attock, the SSG was created in 1956 with active support from U.S. Special Operations Forces. That year the 19th Battalion of the Baloch Regiment (19 Baloch) was selected for conversion to a Special Operation Force. As a result of this, the SSG has inherited many of the traditions and insignia of the Baloch regiment. Their first CO was Lt. Col. (later Maj. Gen.) Abu Bakr Osman Mitha[2] who commanded it for six years till 1963.[3] and the first Officer Commanding of its Alpha Company was Major Gaideen Khan Abdullai Mahsud (Later Lt Col). Their initial training and orientation as regards tactics was based on the US Special Forces pattern with whom they co-operated closely in the Cold War years.[2] The SSG initially had 6 companies and each company had specialization units, specialized in desert, mountain, ranger, and underwater warfare.[2] The desert companies participated in training exercises with US Army Special Forces Mobile Training Team in late 1964.[2] The scuba company in Karachi was renowned for its tough physical training.[2] Later on Chinese training, tactics, weapons, and equipment were also introduced.[2]

[edit] Indo-Pak War of 1965

The SSG were initially deployed along the Afghan border to repel Afghan incursions into Pakistan but the first major deployment came during the war of 1965. Around 120 officers and men were dropped on the night of 6/7 September near the Indian airbases of Adampur, Pathankot and Halwara in an ill-conceived operation to destroy Indian combat aircraft and put the bases out of action. Badly planned, lacking any solid intelligence, and even more badly executed the operation ended in a disaster. However the SSG sources declare it as partially successful, according to them all aircraft from Pathankot airbase were evacuated and 2 Indian infantry brigades (I brigade by admission of Gen J.N. Chaudary, Indian Army Chief at that time in his autobiography) kept searching for these paratroopers. [2] Only a handful made it back to Pakistan and no Indian planes were damaged or casualties inflicted on Indian troops.[2] By 1971, the SSG had grown to 3 Battalions with 1 permanently stationed in East Pakistan (Bangladesh).

[edit] Indo Pak War of 1971

The performance of the SSG in the 1971 was much better with 1 Commando Battalion making a spectacular raid on an Indian artillery regiment and disabling several of their guns besides inflicting casualties.[2]

[edit] SSG Involvement in Soviet Afghan War

During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the SSG deployed there, disguised as Afghans and provided support to the Mujahideen fighting the Soviets. Author Aukai Collins, in the book My Jihad, gave the Pakistani infiltrators the title "Black Storks".[4]. They appear to have engaged the Soviet Airborne Forces in major battles such as the January 1988 Battle for Hill 3234 in which the Russians lost six men while the SSG did not loose a single soldier. Another battle sometimes reported as having been fought between the Pakistanis and Soviet troops, in Kunar Province in March 1986, appears to have actually been fought between the GRU Spetsnaz's 15th Spetsnaz Brigade, and the Asama Bin Zaid regiment of Afghan mujahideen under Commander Assadullah, belonging to Abdul Rasul Sayyaf's faction.[5]

[edit] Siachin and Kargil War

The SSG were also active on their eastern border with India and fought well in Siachen though in one or two instances taking heavy casualties.[2] In the preliminary stages of the 1999 Kargil Operations the SSG performed well, infiltrating relatively deep into Indian territory undetected and subsequently were used as stock infantry troops to hold posts/defensive positions.[2] In 1980, the SSG's Musa Company, which was originally formed in 1970 as a combat diver unit, was given the anti-terrorist operations role. Musa Company got the best founders in the beginning like Major Faiz Akbar Shah and Captain Sajjad Ali Shah. They were UDT/Seals qualified from class 79 of American Navy Seals. Captain Sajjad, who later retired as a Lieutenant Colonel was a salvage expert and had the intensive training of under water demolition. Musa Company was trained by British SAS advisers in mid-1981.[2] Recently, SSG has been active in anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan's restive western borders with Afghanistan and fighting Islamic extremists in Pakistani cities such as the Lal Masjid siege.[6]

[edit] Capabilities

The SSG are trained and qualified to carry out missions in unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action by sabotage and offensive raiding in the medium and deep battlespace, Counter terrorism, counter-proliferation, VIP protection, and information and intelligence gathering operations in deep battlespace. Other duties include coalition warfare and support, combat search and rescue (CSAR), security assistance, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian de-mining, and counter-drug operations. The SSG have also served as Air Marshals for Pakistan International Airlines.

The SSG have a presence in a large number Arab/Muslim countries through its training/advisory teams in which basic training, setting up special forces programs, CI ops and VIP security is taught.[2] In 1986, the SSG began large-scale training of the Sri Lankan Commando Regiment to help them against the LTTE fighters.[2] In 1994, the SSG trained the Special Services Regiment of the Malaysian Army in high-altitude warfare in preparations for their deployment and operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the United Nations peacekeepers.[1] The operational doctrine of the SSG is a mixture of US, Chinese and British SAS tactics and philosophy with a great deal of experience from the Afghan War, Siachen, Kashmir and Kargil thrown in.[2] The SSG showed their tough physical conditioning when they marched saluting dais in the double time; a very tiring procedure during the annual March 23 Pakistan day parade in Islamabad.[2]

[edit] Operations

[edit] Military operations

[edit] Counter terrorism operations

  • On September 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked by four Palestinian terrorists while it was refuelling in Karachi. As negotiations stalled and the terrorists started to kill the passengers, the SSG stormed the plane. The SSG killed 1 hijacker and captured the rest. 21 passengers died and over a hundred were injured. Many inadequacies within the SSG regarding such missions were revealed and were later addressed.[1]
  • On February 1994, Afghan hijackers took over a school bus with 74 children and 8 teachers because they wanted the Pakistan government to re-open the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and improve conditions of the Afghan refugee camps. They drove to the Afghan mission in Islamabad where they released 57 students but kept 16 boys and the teachers. The negotiations lead nowhere and it was decided to free the hostages by force. The Pakistani authorities had somehow managed to inform the children of the impending raid.[1] The SSG commandos used a secondary explosion as a distraction and entered the room at the Afghan embassy where the hostages were being held, killing the three hijackers.[1]
  • On May 1998, three members of the Baluchistan Students Federation took over a PIA Fokker plane because they were angry at the government for conducting nuclear tests in Baluchistan. As negotiations dragged, the SSG commandos rushed the plane and apprehended all 3 hijackers. None of the passengers were harmed during the assault.
  • On July 2007, the SSG was the main assault force which re-took the Lal Masjid from Islamic extremists. The SSG suffered 11 killed and 33 wounded.[12] On September 13, 2007 a suicide bomber killed at least 20 personnel of the SSG and injured dozens others at the officers’ mess of the sensitive cantonment area of Tarbela-Ghazi.[13] The blast has reported to been a vendetta attack by the Islamic fundamentalists who were attacked in the Red Masjid siege in July.[14] According to reliable sources a civilian wearing a white cap with a long beard walked with his bicycle towards the SSG mess and blew himself up there.[15]

[edit] SSG interaction with other elite units

SSG conducts regular (bi-annual) exercises with the Turkish Special Forces which have been designated as the "Ataturk" series. The first of these exercises was held in December, 1998. The Turkish force included 21 officers and 14 non-commissioned officers. The second exercise of this series was held in November 2000, while Atatürk-III concluded in September 2002.[18]

During the 1980s and then into the 1990s, SSG held many similar training exercises with US Special Forces called "Inspired Venture". These exercises were usually held during the early months of January and February with approximately 150 US troops. The exercises were focused on weapon familiarization and use, mountain-warfare along with tactics, raids and ambushes, and eventually airborne operations. With a new phase in U.S.-Pakistan relations, military cooperation has been restarted and joint exercises have already started anew.[citation needed]

The SSG also conducts exercises with Chinese special forces, which is a strong ally of Pakistan. In 2006, China and Pakistan conducted an eight-day exercise called the Pakistan-China Joint Exercise Friendship-2006.[19]

SSG has also been reported to train with the Jordanian and Iranian special forces and regularly conducts training for special forces of other friendly Middle Eastern countries who opt to come to Cherat.

[edit] Organization

Pakistani Special Forces have 10 battalions (bns):

Each battalion consist of 700 men in four companies, with each company split into platoons and then into 10 men teams. Battalions are commanded by Lieutenant Colonels

Plus three independent commando companies:

  • Zarrar (Jarri)Company - Hostage Rescue Company
  • Musa (Moses) Amphibious operations company
  • karrar (Hadri)Company - Anti Terrorist Company

[edit] Training

SSG officers must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSG; non-commissioned officers and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG. All trainees must participate in an eight month SSG course at Cherat. The SSG course emphasizes tough physical conditioning. Included is a 50 mile march in 12 hours, a gruelling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear. Following the SSG course, trainees must volunteer for Airborne School. The course last four weeks, with wings awarded after seven (five day, two night) jumps.

Many in the SSG school are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO course is given at Peshawar with a "Skydiver" tab awarded after 25 freefall jumps. A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Abbotabad; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi. Three classes of combat swimmers are recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18 mile swim, 2nd class to those finishing a 12 mile swim, and 3rd class for a 6 mile swim. SSG regularly sends students to the US for special warfare and airborne training. Later on due to Siachen crisis, a Snow and High Altitude Warfare School was also established.

SSG officers also have a unique record of crossing the Mangla lake at its widest when it was full in the month of August 1971 as part of their watermanship training, a distance of 6 miles in 2 hours and 35 mins. It was done by Capts Yasub Dogar, Capt later Commander SSG, Brig Akram, Capt Tolebaz and Capt Habib. This record is yet to be equalled.

[edit] Deployment

Components of the battalions are constantly rotated between Cherat, Attock, and any other hot spots (such as Pakistan-India border or when Pakistani forces are deployed overseas as part of the UN peace keeping operations) in order to provide experience to the operators. The SSG are used to provide security to various vital points such as the strategic nuclear facilities in Pakistan. It is thought that a number of SSG operators are stationed in Saudi Arabia for the protection of the Saudi royal family. Many SSG Officers and other ranks are routinely seconded to the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for clandestine and reconnaissance missions.[citation needed]

[edit] Notable members of SSG

[edit] Naval and Air Force

Main articles: Special Service Group Navy and Special Service Wing
Naval SSG operating in the Gulf of Oman

The SSG also has a unit in the Pakistan Navy modelled on the U.S. Navy SEALs and British SBS called the Special Service Group Navy (SSGN). The SSGN currently maintains headquarters in Karachi headed by the Pakistan Navy Commander. It has a strength of one company and is assigned to unconventional warfare operations in the coastal regions. During war it is assigned to midget submarines. Operatives are also trained in underwater demolition and clearance diving. All other training is similar to the army SSG with specific marine oriented inputs provided at its headquarters. The strength of the navy commandos is put at 1,000.[citation needed]

After the 1965 war with India Air Cdre Mukhtar Ahmed Dogar SJ who had flown Royal Indian Air Force air crafts supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called the 312 Special Service Wing (SSW). It was put in suspended animation in 1972 but revived in 1999 The unit was modeled on the US Air Force's 1st Special Operations Wing unit and the US Army's Rangers. This new component of the Special Forces of Pakistan has been recently created and fields a force of 1,000 -1400 men. They can under take Airborne Assaults, heli borne Assault, HAHO Operations, They are trained to take action against the enemy's Airforce related targets. They can also be assigned for sabotage missions.

[edit] Appearance and equipment

[edit] Uniforms

The commandos are distinguished by their insignia of maroon berets (reflecting their descent from 19 Baluch) with a silver metal tab on a light blue felt square with a dagger and lightning bolts, and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSG is similar to the US woodland pattern camouflage coat and pants. Other uniforms include camouflage and black dungarees (for the CT team).

SSGN (SSG Navy) is distinguished by a dark blue beret with three versions of the "fouled anchor" navy badge for officers, NCOs and enlisted men. A metal SSGN qualification badge featuring a vertical dagger superimposed over a midget submarine is worn over the left pocket on dress uniforms. Parachute wings are worn over the right pocket.

While SSW (Special Services Wing) is distinguished by maroon berets with PAf Officer, JCO or Airmen berrit insignia on the beret]], and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSW is Olive Drab camouflage. The also wear their Special service wing insignia on the left shoulder "Winged Dragons and lightning bolts" .

[edit] Equipment

The SSG could be equipped with an array of modern weaponry which includes, Steyr AUG, HK G3, and Chinese Type-81/56 rifles, Colt M4 Carbines, and FN P90 and HK-MP5 Sub-machine guns (many different variants). Light machine gun in use is Rheinmetall MG3 (locally produced along with HK G3s and MP5s). In sniper or Marksman role, the SSG CT (Counter-Terrorism) teams are equipped with Steyr SSG 69 and Finnish Tikka bolt-action rifles and HK PSG1 and Dragunov SVD Semi-automatic rifles. Side arms includes various Heckler&Koch models.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Special Service Group (Army)". PakDef. http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/regiments/ssg.html.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Singh Bajwa, Mandeep. "Pakistan Special Service Group". http://orbat.com/site/toe/toe/pakistan/ssg.html. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  3. ^ A.H. Amin "Interview with Brig (retd) Shamim Yasin Manto" Defence Journal, February 2002
  4. ^ My Jihad: One American's Journey Through the World of Usama Bin Laden--as a Covert Operative for the American Government. Aukai Collins. ISBN 0-7434-7059-1.
  5. ^ Lester W. Grau & Ali Ahmed Jalali, Forbidden Cross-Border Vendetta: Spetsnaz Strike into Pakistan during the Soviet-Afghan War, Journal of Slavic Military Studies, December 2005, p.1-2 Referenced copy was obtained via the Foreign Military Studies Office website
  6. ^ "Mosque siege ends, and grim cleanup begins". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/12/MNGOTQUTPG1.DTL.
  7. ^ Kashmiris didn’t back Pakistan in 1965: Gohar
  8. ^ Book Review Tarikh ke Aine Main By Lt. Col. (retd) Ghulam Dawn
  9. ^ Secret U.S. Unit Trains Commandos in Pakistan, Eric Schmit and Jane Perlez, New York Times, 22 February 09
  10. ^ CIA Pakistan Campaign is Working Director Say, Mark Mazzetti and Helene Cooper, New York Times, 26 February 09, A15
  11. ^ http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/us_world/Panetta_warns_against_politicization.html?extpar=polit
  12. ^ "Pakistani Forces Kill Last Holdouts in Red Masjid". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/11/AR2007071100367.html.
  13. ^ Dead belonged to company deployed at Lal Masjid, Jamia Hafsa’ By Javed Iqbal & Mushtaq Yusufzai The News, Pakistan September 14, 2007
  14. ^ Bomb in Pakistan Kills at Least 15 From Elite Unit By SALMAN MASOOD and ISMAIL KHAN September 14, 2007
  15. ^ Blast case registered -DAWN - Top Stories; September 16, 2007
  16. ^ Faisal Ali, Mohammad (2009-03-30). "13 killed, 100 injured as forces recapture Manawan academy". Dawn TV. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/Dawn%20Content%20Library/dawn/news/pakistan/attack-on-police-academy-leaves-8-dead--150-injured--il. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  17. ^ Nawaz, Hamid (2009-03-30). "Lahore under attack again: 12 dead, 90 injured in bloody siege at police academy, three gunmen captured". Aaj TV. http://www.aaj.tv/news/Latest/105_detail.html. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  18. ^ Special Service Group (Army)
  19. ^ "Joint Anti-terror Military Exercise Concludes". Xinhua News Agency. http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/193029.htm.

[edit] Recommended reading

  • Tarikh ke Aine Main (Urdu) By Lt. Col. (retd) Ghulam, Published by Jilani Khan Headquarters SSG, Cherat

[edit] Sources and external links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Service_Group"
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