Commando Battalion for Resolute Action

Background

In 2009, the MHA has approved raising of 10 CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) to meet the challenges being posed by naxalites. In view of naxal's violent and focused attacks on Security Forces; it was essential that appropriate counter strategy be evolved which strikes the naxals in their stronghold. Accordingly, in phased manner the CoBRA battalions were raised – 02 Bn in 2008–09, 04 Bn in 2009–10, 04 Bn in 2010–11.

CoBRA Battalions are well trained and adept in multi tasking skills operations in the most arduous terrain. CoBRA personnel are trained in guerrilla warfare, field engineering, tracking of explosives, jungle survival techniques along with ops tactics to fight insurgents. Specialized training programme includes jungle warfare, Ops planning and execution, physical endurance, map reading and GPS, intelligence, heli-slithering.

Special intelligence courses have been conducted under premier intelligence agencies to train troops in intelligence collection. To maintain uniformity of standards and evolution of a unique CoBRA ethos as well as training of troops, a dedicated CoBRA school of jungle warfare & tactics is under active consideration.

CoBRA Bn, true to its training and competence have killed 61 naxals and apprehended 866 suspects as well as recovered huge amount of arms, ammunition and explosives till 2011. The CoBRA personnel's efforts have also been acknowledged with 200 plus DG commendation discs. The valour and gallant actions of CoBRA have been recognised and the personnel have been decorated with 09 Gallantry medals including two Shaurya Chakra. CoBRA Commando Ashish Kumar Tiwari was awarded Shaurya Chakra for single handedly pinning down a squad of Maoists which resulted in the killing of top naxal leader and Asst Commandant RV Mishra for taking down a group of 32 maoist in jharkhand in a clandestine operation with a team of only 8 and killing 5 maoist even after a mine shredded his leg while trying to save a fellow member.

History

The Indian government established 10 units for CoBRA since 2008.

Firearms & Equipment

Cobra is the best-equipped Central Armed Police unit in the country, set up with a grant of ₹ 13 thousand million [ long scale ] (or 13 billion [ Short scale ]) from the Central government. They have been armed as a regular infantry platoon with:-
1.INSAS rifles
2.AK rifles
3.X-95
4.Browning Hi-Power
5.Glock pistols
6.Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns
7.Carl Gustav recoilless rifle.
Cobras also have hi-tech electronic surveillance equipment and well-trained sniper teams, armed with:-
8.Dragunov SVD
9. Mauser SP66
10.Heckler & Koch MSG-90 sniper rifles.

All the equipment for the Cobra is manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Training

Cobras are trained in the CRPF Elite jungle warfare institutions in Belgaum and Koraput. Their training regime(physical) and duration is similar to that of lines of Elite NSG Commandos. Main Tactics focus part is jungle warfare. They are adept in the art of camouflage and jungle warfare.Every personnel of CoBRA are trained for heli jump like the parachute regiment. Regular refreshing training is carried out of the commandos to check their physical and firing skills matching the standard.Their role is to carry out reconnaissance and long range patrols, gather intelligence on the whereabouts of the insurgents, and also carry out ambushes and precision strikes when required. Their sniper teams can also be used to headshot key targets.

After 3 months of rigorous training(Same patters as that of NSG) in Belgaum or Koraput,CoBRA members are deployed to their respective units to counter-Naxal activities.

Major Operations