Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA): Enhancing India’s Counter-Insurgency Capability

Introduction

• Established in 2008, the Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA) stands as a specialized unit within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This elite force is meticulously trained in guerilla tactics and proficient in jungle warfare, earning them the moniker of ‘jungle warriors’.

Specialized Training and Purpose

• CoBRA was originally instituted to combat the Naxalite problem, equipped with the mandate to track, hunt, and neutralize Naxalite groups. Drawing personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA is an integral part of this central police force. Those selected undergo a rigorous regimen of commando and jungle warfare training before being deployed to CoBRA units for operations.

Operational Structure

• CoBRA is comprised of 10 units, raised between 2008 and 2011. Predominantly, these teams are deployed in states afflicted by Maoist violence, while a select few are stationed in the northeastern states, engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): Safeguarding India’s Internal Security

Introduction

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the preeminent central police force in the Union of India, responsible for upholding internal security. Operating under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India, the CRPF has a storied history dating back to its establishment in 1939.

Historical Origins

• Originally known as the Crown Representative Police, the force was formed in response to political unrest and agitations in the princely States of India. This development stemmed from the Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936 and the imperative of the Crown Representative to maintain law and order as part of imperial policy. The enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December formalized its transformation into the CRPF.

Diverse Roles and Responsibilities

• The CRPF shoulders a wide array of duties crucial to India’s security landscape. These include crowd control, riot management, counter-militancy and insurgency operations, combating Left Wing Extremism, overseeing extensive security arrangements for elections in turbulent areas, safeguarding VIPs and vital installations, environmental conservation efforts, wartime aggression response, participation in UN Peacekeeping missions, and conducting rescue and relief operations during natural calamities.

Conclusion

• The CoBRA and CRPF serve as linchpins in India’s security apparatus, each with its own specialized focus and operational scope. CoBRA’s expertise in guerilla tactics and jungle warfare complements CRPF’s multifaceted responsibilities, collectively contributing to the nation’s safety and stability. Through their concerted efforts, they exemplify a formidable force dedicated to upholding the integrity of the Union of India.