Bhairav Commandos: The Indian Army has introduced its new Bhairav Light Commando battalions. These units are small, fast, and made for quick and strong action. The Army created them to carry out surprise missions, including fast cross-border operations at very short notice.
Sources say that well-known regiments like the Mahar Regiment, Grenadiers, and Gorkha Rifles are now setting aside units for Bhairav formations. These battalions keep the spirit of their parent regiments. Soldiers still shout war cries like “Raja Ramchandra ki Jai” and “Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal”. They follow a new motto called “Abhayam Bhairav”, which means fearless strength.
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Most soldiers in these battalions come from areas close to where they will operate. This helps them understand the land, weather, and local language better. Defence officials said the idea is still changing and will improve with time. One official said, “The structure is evolving. Aspects like regimental war cries or independent identity will be finalised over time,” while another explained, “If deployed along international borders, the personnel are largely from nearby regions to leverage native expertise.”
Striking power
The Army named these battalions after Bhairav, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. These units work between normal infantry and the elite Para Special Forces. They focus on deep scouting, sudden attacks, and disturbing enemy plans far inside hostile areas.
A commanding officer from a Bhairav battalion explained the thinking behind the force. He said, “This battalion has been raised as a small-team concept, and we are working to ensure that the small team proves to be heavier on the larger enemy.” Each battalion has around 250 soldiers. This is much smaller than regular infantry units, which usually have around 800 troops.
These battalions include experts from artillery, signals, and air defence. This allows them to fight in many ways at the same time. About 15 battalions already exist, and the Army plans to raise many more across different commands. The Army has placed these units in tough areas like Leh and Srinagar under Northern Command, Nagrota, and also in desert regions in the west and south.
Modern weapons
Some people compare the Bhairav battalions with Para Special Forces. The Army says there is no lowering of standards.
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A senior officer said “There is no difference, and we are a multi-domain-terrain and multi-domain-operation-specialised battalion. So we can operate in all kinds of terrain. The SF, which is for strategic operations, and we are there — whatever task will be given to us, we will undertake that operation.”
Each battalion has special Ashni platoons that manage drones and loitering munitions. The Army has ensured 100% drone literacy, meaning every soldier knows how to use drones. Their weapons include Javelin anti-tank missiles, AK-203 rifles, close-combat carbines, and armed drones.
The officer also highlighted their training and gear, saying, “We are equipped with cutting-edge weapons and trained in modern warfare domains, including cyber, drone operations and information warfare – this sets us apart.”
The Army tested these battalions in major exercises like Akhand Prahar. These “fight-tonight” units allow the Para Special Forces to focus on bigger strategic missions.
