For the first time, soldiers of Bhairav Battalion are participating in the Republic Day parade.
Bhairav Battalion, an integral newly formed unit of the Indian Army, is being discussed a lot these days. This is one of the many security forces of the country and for the first time the soldiers of this battalion are participating in the Republic Day parade. Bhairav Battalion is an extremely important part of India’s security infrastructure. It is a specialized unit created in view of modern technological challenges and changing terrorist threats, whose main objective is to take quick, powerful and strategic action. Its formation not only strengthens the national security but also makes the security system of modern India more capable and competitive at the global level.
Bhairav Battalion is a state-of-the-art, high-intensity and strategic response unit of the Indian Army, which has been prepared for special types of operations. Do you know what Bhairav Battalion is in the name of Republic Day Parade? How does it work? When was it formed and why? Let us understand in detail.
How does it work?
The operations of the Bhairav battalion are based entirely on special strategies, modern equipment and high-intensity training. To understand its working process, it can be divided into some parts.
- Quick Response: This battalion is capable of taking action within minutes during any emergency, terrorist attack or major crisis. Its soldiers are always in standby mode.
- Close-Quarters Battle (CQB) Operations: Its key specialties include conducting operations in narrow spaces, buildings, crowded areas or hostage situations.
- Commando-level training: The soldiers of Bhairav battalion are given advanced training like parachute jump, anti-terror operation, night-vision operation, high-risk ambush, bomb diffusion techniques.
- Equipped with modern weapons: This unit uses state-of-the-art weapons like assault rifles, night scopes, sniper systems, anti-IED equipment, communication interception systems.
- Special Security and VVIP Protection: In some circumstances, this battalion is also deployed to protect high-level individuals or sensitive establishments.
When was Bhairav Battalion formed and why?
The background of formation of Bhairav Battalion is related to the emerging security threats in India. The proposal for its establishment was approved last year i.e. in 2025 and the work of its establishment started with this. Over the years, terrorism, extremism, urban-based attacks, IED blasts and the need for immediate action have increased. The need for dedicated smart, agile and technically capable units along with conventional forces was felt. To fulfill this need, Bhairav Battalion was formed.
The main objective of the formation is to add quick reaction units to the national security apparatus, enhance expertise in high-risk operations, integrate modern military technologies into a dedicated unit, effectively handle the changing profile of terrorism and internal insurgency, etc. In this way, Bhairav Battalion is a special strategic battalion designed to meet the new security needs of modern India.
why was it created this special battalion?
There were mainly four main reasons behind the creation of Bhairav Battalion.
- Enhancing anti-terrorism capacity: To counter lethal attacks in both urban and rural situations.
- Need for fast response: In any situation where action needs to be taken in seconds.
- Advanced and Technical Challenges: To handle new threats like drone-based attacks, remote-activated IEDs.
- Expansion of Specialized Forces: Additional battalions were required to support the NSG, CRPF and to control state-level threats.
What is the total number of Bhairav battalions?
According to current reports, the Indian Army has so far raised about 15 Bhairav Light Commando battalions. The army is working on a plan to increase this number to 25 battalions. These battalions are completely combat units of the Indian Army and come under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. The soldiers for Bhairav battalions are selected from within the army. Specially, soldiers are selected from Infantry, Artillery, Air Defence, Signals and other combat support arms.
How many battalions of paramilitary forces in total?
Apart from the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy, the number of paramilitary battalions in the country is very large, as every paramilitary force, police force and army have several battalions serving for different purposes. In this way, the total number of central paramilitary forces and the states’ own security forces is approximately seven hundred battalions. Apart from their main responsibilities, all these central and state forces can be deployed anytime and anywhere for the internal security of the country as and when required. This number keeps increasing from time to time as the central and state governments keep approving new battalions as per security needs.
Central forces and their responsibilities
- CRPF: There are more than 250 battalions. This force is especially helpful in maintaining law and order within the country. Rapid Action Force is also a part of this special force.
- BSF: There are a total of more than 190 battalions of Border Security Force in the country. This special force is mainly deployed on the Pakistan-Bangladesh border.
- ITBP: There are more than 60 battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police. This force is specially trained for the Tibet border. Their soldiers are deployed in the border areas of states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh etc.
- SSB: More than 70 battalions of Sashastra Seema Bal are available. The deployment of this force is especially on the border of Nepal and Bhutan.
- CISF: There are more than a hundred units/battalions of the Central Industrial Security Force. This force is responsible for the security of airports and large industrial establishments in India.
- NSG: This is a specialized unit. In emergency situations, it is deployed for special operations. The responsibility of VVIP security rests on the shoulders of this organization.
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