What is the elite CoBRA unit deployed for the first time in Kashmir?

The CRPF’s elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit has been deployed in Kashmir for the first time. The unit has received months of extensive training in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir, according to several media reports. The development comes in the backdrop of the operation to flush out terrorists holed up in the Gadole forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district entering its sixth day on Monday. But what is CoBRA? What do we know about the history of this elite force? Let’s take a closer look: What do we know? The elite task force has been operating for nearly a decade and a half. It is tasked with undertaking intelligence-based jungle warfare operations. As per Hindustan Times, the union cabinet had first approved the formation of CoBRA units in 2008.

The unit was first raised in 2009 under the CRPF.

The Centre gave its approval to form 10 unattached battalions of CoBRA in CRPF with a Sector Headquarter for these battalions headed by an Inspector General. The raising schedule was: The raising schedule is given below

• 2008-09 : Two Battalions and Sector Hqrs, CoBRA
• 2009-10 : Four Battalions
• 2010-11 : Four Battalions

The CoBRA Sector began functioning under the command of K Durga Prasad, IPS, IG. In March 2009, the Sector HQ shifted to Pushp Vihar, New Delhi . Since 2009, has been functioning at Old Secretariat, Civil Lines Delhi-54.

The 10 CoBRA battalions comprise over 12,000 personnel.

The teams are deployed in Left-Wing Extremist and insurgent-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. Troops inducted in CoBRA units have to measure up to extremely difficult mental and physical parameters. According to the CRPF website, these troops are also known as ‘jungle warriors’. Their motto is ‘victory for gallant in war’. As per Hindustan Times, such units are trained to traverse 72 kilometres in a jungle in a day and return to their base after fulfilling their mission. They are also trained in helicopter- borne insertion. Prior to being formally inducted into a battallion, they are giving special training at a bootcamp in Karnataka’s Belagavi. As per the CoBRA websits, its units have three characteristics:

• Courage
• Zeal
• Patriotism.

CoBRA Sector is currently headed up by IG Rajesh Khurana. CoBRA is a highly decorated force. As per the website, its troops have been awarded

• 13 Shaurya Chakras
• Three Kirti Chakras
• Four PPMG
• 299 PMG
• 222 parakram padak
• Six jeevan raksha padaks
• 13,027 antarik suraksha padaks
• 3,628 DG Commendation discs.

Sixty-eight of its personnel have been killed during operations.

• Since 2009, the unit has conducted 32,069 operations in which
• 359 Naxal/Insurgent were killed
• Another 3,020 apprehended
• 32 surrendered

Another 1,477 types of arms, 54,669 different types of ammunition, 7,710 bombs/IEDs/grenades and 52,423 detonators were recovered from Naxals and insurgents.

Till 2021,  CoBRA till was an all-male force.

In February 2021, a maiden contingent of 34 CRPF women personnel was inducted into the elite force.  The CRPF in January 2021 had said it was mulling induction of women personnel in  CoBRA. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has had women personnel in combat since 1986 when its first ‘Mahila’ battalion was raised. It has six such units at present. The force, with a strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel, is the country’s largest paramilitary force and is designated as the lead internal security combat unit.  ‘Will be operating in all parts’  Officials said the CoBRA deployment in Kashmir is in line with the Centre’s strategy to use the force in regions where the government has revoked the Armed Forces Special Power Act. [caption id=“attachment_13139012” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] CoBRA was an all-male force till 2021. News18[/caption]  Hindustan Times quoted an official as saying, “Some companies of CoBRA were partially relocated from Bihar and Jharkhand due to reduced instances of Naxal violence in those regions. Their training commenced six months ago in the jungles of J&K.” “CoBRA was set up at a time when India’s internal security was threatened by Naxal violence. Over the years, CoBRA teams have neutralised top Naxals. Their operations have led to decline in Naxal violence. They are experts when it comes to dealing with militants in jungle and hills terrain,” the official added. “The topography is similar in the northeast and J&K. They will be put to use in such places in the coming years.” “As CRPF has succeeded in making inroads in deep jungle areas, which were once Naxal hotbeds, and cases are decreasing, additional CoBRA companies will be brought to places in the northeast too,” a second official told the newspaper. A senior CRPF official in Kashmir, speaking on condition of anonymity, told News18, “Three teams will be operating and leading also soon in Srinagar along with Valley Quick Action Team. These teams reached Kashmir in May and got all the relevant and required training. Since they are already trained in jungle warfare, this would be an added advantage as no force has such experience operating in Kashmir. We have seen a shift also in terrorists’ activities and modus operandi, therefore, this bunch of commandos will be operating in all parts.” With inputs from agencies