What's new

Inside Pakistan's Sharp Sword - The Special Service Group (SSG).

.
List of SS Group officers KIA in recent years.

Lt.Col Aamir Awan, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident. I believe he was OC 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar).

Maj. Khalid Aziz, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident, with 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar) (probably the 2IC).

Captain Zameer Hussain, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident, with 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar), probably the Adjutant. Alongside these 3 officers 7 soldiers also lost their lives.

Lt.Col Haroon Ul Islam, OC Zarrar ATU, famous martyr of Lal Masjid Op Silence/Sunrise.

Captain Salman Lodhi, Zarrar ATU, in same Op Silence.

Captain Junaid Khan, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), during recce op in Khwazakhela in the prelude of Op Rah-e-Raast, captured by TTP and executed.

Captain Najam Riaz Raja, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), alongside Captain Junaid, captured and executed.

Both officers alongwith 2 NCOs being unarmed managed to break the necks of 8 TTP fighters during their attempted escape before being shot by outer guards.

Captain Bilal Zafar, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), famous martyr of Operation Black Thunderstorm, KIA while clearing the Peochar Valley, known as 'Ghazanosar ka Hero'.

Major Zahid Hussain Shah, unit n/a, KIA in Op Rah-e-Raast.

Captain Ali Mehmood, 5 Commando Btln (Zilzaal), KIA in 2011 versus TTP in Mohmand Agency.

Captain Tariq Jamal, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), KIA in 2012 during operation versus TTP in Orakzai Agency.

Captain Waseem Razi, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), KIA during the infamous ambush at Tirah in 2013, during Op Rahe Shahadat.

Captain Ahmad Raza, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), martyred during Op Rahe Shahadat at Tirah in 2013.

Captain Akash Rabbani, 4 Commando Btln (Yalghar). Famous martyr of Op ZeA in North Waziristan 2014, while conducting medevac and was hit by sniper fire.

Captain Qayyum Khan, unit n/a, KIA during Op ZeA in North Waziristan.

About 15 officers named on the roll of honor since 2006, more than total officers shaheed from 1956-2006. SS Group has been used time to time in our COIN ops, and has made big sacrifices. If you wish to add more details please point out.
 
. . . . .
SSG is actually a very efficient mechanism for the war against terrorism in Pakistan. But I personally feel that their should be more modern and innovative. The commandos can bear almost anything but we need to introduce more modern training methods for the commandos for them to perform as per the current requirements of this demanding war on terror.
 
. .
Zarrar ATU should be our designated Tier One unit, they're the ones going into tough ops, and they should be provided with some good helmets for heaven's sake, ACH or MICH.

They are designated our Tier One unit.
 
.
List of SS Group officers KIA in recent years.

Lt.Col Aamir Awan, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident. I believe he was OC 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar).

Maj. Khalid Aziz, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident, with 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar) (probably the 2IC).

Captain Zameer Hussain, in 2006 Akbar Bugti incident, with 2 Commando Btln (Rehbar), probably the Adjutant. Alongside these 3 officers 7 soldiers also lost their lives.

Lt.Col Haroon Ul Islam, OC Zarrar ATU, famous martyr of Lal Masjid Op Silence/Sunrise.

Captain Salman Lodhi, Zarrar ATU, in same Op Silence.

Captain Junaid Khan, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), during recce op in Khwazakhela in the prelude of Op Rah-e-Raast, captured by TTP and executed.

Captain Najam Riaz Raja, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), alongside Captain Junaid, captured and executed.

Both officers alongwith 2 NCOs being unarmed managed to break the necks of 8 TTP fighters during their attempted escape before being shot by outer guards.

Captain Bilal Zafar, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), famous martyr of Operation Black Thunderstorm, KIA while clearing the Peochar Valley, known as 'Ghazanosar ka Hero'.

Major Zahid Hussain Shah, unit n/a, KIA in Op Rah-e-Raast.

Captain Ali Mehmood, 5 Commando Btln (Zilzaal), KIA in 2011 versus TTP in Mohmand Agency.

Captain Tariq Jamal, 6 Commando Btln (Al-Samsaam), KIA in 2012 during operation versus TTP in Orakzai Agency.

Captain Waseem Razi, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), KIA during the infamous ambush at Tirah in 2013, during Op Rahe Shahadat.

Captain Ahmad Raza, 3 Commando Btln (Powindah), martyred during Op Rahe Shahadat at Tirah in 2013.

Captain Akash Rabbani, 4 Commando Btln (Yalghar). Famous martyr of Op ZeA in North Waziristan 2014, while conducting medevac and was hit by sniper fire.

Captain Qayyum Khan, unit n/a, KIA during Op ZeA in North Waziristan.

About 15 officers named on the roll of honor since 2006, more than total officers shaheed from 1956-2006. SS Group has been used time to time in our COIN ops, and has made big sacrifices. If you wish to add more details please point out.
2nd to 6th SSG battalions plus Zarrar ATU taking part in A-T Ops. It is disappointing to see SSG deviating away from traditional Behind Enemy Lines roles.
 
.
2nd to 6th SSG battalions plus Zarrar ATU taking part in A-T Ops. It is disappointing to see SSG deviating away from traditional Behind Enemy Lines roles.
In start our troops lacked training for COIN ops.
 
. .
2nd to 6th SSG battalions plus Zarrar ATU taking part in A-T Ops. It is disappointing to see SSG deviating away from traditional Behind Enemy Lines roles.

Lots of lessons can translate to BEL ops.

Also, Karrar Coy and SOTF played a key role in CT/AT ops in FATA.
 
.
In start our troops lacked training for COIN ops.
I agree, SSG was best equipped and trained for the Ops at that time. Lack of foresight on part of Civilian Govt not to raise a SWAT for Police Ops. FC and Rangers were in tatters. Infantry Battalions of PA had no formal training fighting COIN.

SSG paid the price for every shortcoming.

SSG has performed great in both BEL and COIN operations. The best SF of South Asia without a doubt.
Actually more in COIN in home territory, than BEL against IA, Soviets and the likes.

Lots of lessons can translate to BEL ops.

Also, Karrar Coy and SOTF played a key role in CT/AT ops in FATA.
There is no replacement for experience however the tactics, targets, enemy, territory etc are very different BEL than in COIN.
 
.
http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/1965-war-contributions-ssg-wall-d2/

SSG operations in 1965, not mentioned are the operations with Ghaznavi Force in Rajauri sector.
Capt Shamim Alam Khan's exploits during these raids and ambushes along the LoC and the raid on the Drass cantonment by the SSG troops, which included Cast Tariq Mahmood (earning him his first SJ), are classic special forces missions that often get buried under other happenings of the past. These missions were well planned and executed.

2nd to 6th SSG battalions plus Zarrar ATU taking part in A-T Ops. It is disappointing to see SSG deviating away from traditional Behind Enemy Lines roles.
It would be a waste if SSG was being trained up only on the role you describe. Any good Special Force should be able to adapt and employ itself in the roles needed and that is exactly what the SSG has done. Counter Terrorism is a very narrow definition of something as broad as sub-conventional warfare. The SSG as a force is involved in the latter while it regularly trains for operating behind the enemy lines. The actual counter-terrorism operations role is fulfilled by a small number of cadres (specialized units such as Zarrar ATU).

SSG detachments are rotated constantly along the LoC and in the FATA to expose the troops to both operating environments. Prior to GWOT and in the days of the Soviet-Afghan war, the SSG was rotated across three or four different operational environments ranging from LoC, Afghanistan, Siachen and even Balochistan.
 
.

Pakistan Affairs Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom