Osprey Elite 41 : Elite Forces of India and Pakistan

Influenced by the German use of paratroopers early in World War Two, General Sir Robert Cassels, the Commander-in-Chief India, ordered the formation of an airborne cadre in October 1940. The cadre was to consist of British, Indian, and Gurkha troops, and would be used as the basis for a mixed airborne brigade. Thus marked the origins of India's first élite units. With the nationalising of the Indian Army after the war, her Parachute Regiments, Mountain Divisions, Marine Special Forces and Special Frontier Force have served in numerous conflicts including peace-keeping duties with the UN in Korea and the Middle East, wars with China and Pakistan, and operations in Goa, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Pakistan can trace the origins of its own army airborne to the common parentage of British-raised forces. Following the partition from India in August 1947, it raised its own Special Service Group, with individually specialised companies including desert, mountain, ranger and underwater warfare units. Kenneth Conboy details the history, organisation, uniforms and insignia of the élite forces of India and Pakistan, with a plethora of accompanying photographs and illustrations, including 12 full page colour plates by Paul Hannon. Also covered are the elite forces of Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Contents

• India - Army Airborne
• The 1965 War
• The 1971 War
• Pakistan - Army Airborne
• Pakistani Special Forces Since 1971
• Afghanistan
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal
• Bangladesh
• The Plates