Pakistan's Special Operations Forces: SSG | SSGN | SSW | SOW | SOG

Abingdonboy · Sep 29, 2011

Can anyone answer me this Q- is ot not a HUGE waste of talent, time, resources,potential, capabilities etc to have the SSG providing VVIP protection to people like President and COAS? I mean there aren't many countires who have elite army SF protecting VVIPs. Instead most have dedicated police/federal law enforcement do such things- US (USSS), India (SPG), UK (met police). The reason for this are clear- diplomatic protection is a VERY technical, specialised and demanding task so having units specifically trained for this task (including CAT and counter sniper units like USSS and Indian SPG) is sensible or their entire ethos, training and resources and pulled towards this end. however if you have a SF unit like SSG that has trained to do a wide variety of activities such as airborne ops, HRT, jungle, mountain, urban warfare, CI, demolition, long-range patrols, ambushes etc than VVIP training is only a VERY small part of their mission portfolio and it makes sense they are not as proficient at it as other units purely dedicated to this task. Not to mention a seeming waste of resources training these operators to do such actions and only utilising them in a very particular way. It seems like it is just for superficial reasons ie- having the best unit protect you (similar situation was felt by Indian NSG when all scumbag politicians wanted "Black Cat" commandos which diverted away from NSG's CI mandate so they set up a dedicated wing, SRG, recruited only from IPS and only used in VVIP protection whilst the CI wing, SAG, received form KA SOF maintained CI ready).

Just a few observations by me, please reply.

SQ8 · Sep 29, 2011

Abingdonboy said:
Can anyone answer me this Q- is ot not a HUGE waste of talent, time, resources,potential, capabilities etc to have the SSG providing VVIP protection to people like President and COAS? I mean there aren't many countires who have elite army SF protecting VVIPs. Instead most have dedicated police/federal law enforcement do such things- US (USSS), India (SPG), UK (met police). The reason for this are clear- diplomatic protection is a VERY technical, specialised and demanding task so having units specifically trained for this task (including CAT and counter sniper units like USSS and Indian SPG) is sensible or their entire ethos, training and resources and pulled towards this end. however if you have a SF unit like SSG that has trained to do a wide variety of activities such as airborne ops, HRT, jungle, mountain, urban warfare, CI, demolition, long-range patrols, ambushes etc than VVIP training is only a VERY small part of their mission portfolio and it makes sense they are not as proficient at it as other units purely dedicated to this task. Not to mention a seeming waste of resources training these operators to do such actions and only utilising them in a very particular way. It seems like it is just for superficial reasons ie- having the best unit protect you (similar situation was felt by Indian NSG when all scumbag politicians wanted "Black Cat" commandos which diverted away from NSG's CI mandate so they set up a dedicated wing, SRG, recruited only from IPS and only used in VVIP protection whilst the CI wing, SAG, received form KA SOF maintained CI ready).

Just a few observations by me, please reply.

For the COAS it makes sense..
not for the Civilian leadership.
But after the Taseer incident.. people are afraid to take chances.

Jango · Sep 29, 2011

Abingdonboy said:
Can anyone answer me this Q- is ot not a HUGE waste of talent, time, resources,potential, capabilities etc to have the SSG providing VVIP protection to people like President and COAS? I mean there aren't many countires who have elite army SF protecting VVIPs. Instead most have dedicated police/federal law enforcement do such things- US (USSS), India (SPG), UK (met police). The reason for this are clear- diplomatic protection is a VERY technical, specialised and demanding task so having units specifically trained for this task (including CAT and counter sniper units like USSS and Indian SPG) is sensible or their entire ethos, training and resources and pulled towards this end. however if you have a SF unit like SSG that has trained to do a wide variety of activities such as airborne ops, HRT, jungle, mountain, urban warfare, CI, demolition, long-range patrols, ambushes etc than VVIP training is only a VERY small part of their mission portfolio and it makes sense they are not as proficient at it as other units purely dedicated to this task. Not to mention a seeming waste of resources training these operators to do such actions and only utilising them in a very particular way. It seems like it is just for superficial reasons ie- having the best unit protect you (similar situation was felt by Indian NSG when all scumbag politicians wanted "Black Cat" commandos which diverted away from NSG's CI mandate so they set up a dedicated wing, SRG, recruited only from IPS and only used in VVIP protection whilst the CI wing, SAG, received form KA SOF maintained CI ready).

Just a few observations by me, please reply.

SSG does not cover for President or PM, they did for Musharraf because he was COAS as well. Other than that, providing security to COAS is not wrong IMO.

Windjammer · Sep 29, 2011

Rawalpindi - September 29, 2011:
Closing/Wing Exchange ceremony of a week long Pakistan - Turkey Joint Training Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 was held at Cherat today. Major General Farrukh Bashir, General Officer Commanding Special Services Group (SSG) was the chief guest on occasion.

Major General Farrukh Bashir congratulated the Officers and Soldiers of Turkish Special Forces and SSG of Pakistan Army on successful completion of this joint training. Major General Farrukh Bashir said that the main aim of the joint exercise was to further strengthen the military to military relationship and share experience of counter terrorism. He said that exercise began with learning and sharing of individual skills and culminated at a joint Air Assault Field Exercise. The aim and objectives set for the exercise had been achieved to its best, he concluded.

A large number of officers and soldiers of Turkish Land Forces and SSG of Pakistan Army attended the ceremony.

It may be noted that Special Forces of Pakistan and Turkey conduct joint training exercise each year, held alternately in Pakistan and Turkey. The exercise held in Pakistan is named as ATTATURK and that held in Turkey is called JINNAH.

Turkish troops during Pakistan – Turkey Joint Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 at Cherat

Col Sendogan Atmaca, head of Turkish Special Forces, decorating Pakistani Special Services Group (SSG) Soldiers with Wings at the closing ceremony of Pakistan – Turkey Joint Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 at Cherat (29-09-2011)

blain2 · Oct 1, 2011

mughaljee said:
^ what kind of gun the man looking into ?

Its a Rangemaster .50 Cal.

blain2 · Oct 1, 2011

nuclearpak said:
SSG does not cover for President or PM, they did for Musharraf because he was COAS as well. Other than that, providing security to COAS is not wrong IMO.

Military protection is provide for 6 VVIPs in Pakistan. These include the President, PM, CJCSC, CoAS, CAS, CNS. The CAS and CNS are provided security details by the SSW and SSG(N) respectively. The rest are provided close protection by SSG (A).

I myself am not a fan of this but in light of the expense and a lack of expertise in other arms, it was a role specifically assigned to the SSG/SSW to retain a small component of the overall strength and provide them with such specialization.

blain2 · Oct 1, 2011

Windjammer said:
Rawalpindi - September 29, 2011:
Closing/Wing Exchange ceremony of a week long Pakistan - Turkey Joint Training Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 was held at Cherat today. Major General Farrukh Bashir, General Officer Commanding Special Services Group (SSG) was the chief guest on occasion.

Major General Farrukh Bashir congratulated the Officers and Soldiers of Turkish Special Forces and SSG of Pakistan Army on successful completion of this joint training. Major General Farrukh Bashir said that the main aim of the joint exercise was to further strengthen the military to military relationship and share experience of counter terrorism. He said that exercise began with learning and sharing of individual skills and culminated at a joint Air Assault Field Exercise. The aim and objectives set for the exercise had been achieved to its best, he concluded.

A large number of officers and soldiers of Turkish Land Forces and SSG of Pakistan Army attended the ceremony.

It may be noted that Special Forces of Pakistan and Turkey conduct joint training exercise each year, held alternately in Pakistan and Turkey. The exercise held in Pakistan is named as ATTATURK and that held in Turkey is called JINNAH.

Turkish troops during Pakistan – Turkey Joint Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 at Cherat

Col Sendogan Atmaca, head of Turkish Special Forces, decorating Pakistani Special Services Group (SSG) Soldiers with Wings at the closing ceremony of Pakistan – Turkey Joint Exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 at Cherat (29-09-2011)

Last two pictures are of the freshest batch of inductees in the SSG. To have a Turkish guest pin the wings during the
induction parade is an indication of the closeness between the two special forces.

PakShaheen79 · Oct 2, 2011

Abingdonboy said:
Can anyone answer me this Q- is ot not a HUGE waste of talent, time, resources,potential, capabilities etc to have the SSG providing VVIP protection to people like President and COAS? I mean there aren't many countires who have elite army SF protecting VVIPs. Instead most have dedicated police/federal law enforcement do such things- US (USSS), India (SPG), UK (met police). The reason for this are clear- diplomatic protection is a VERY technical, specialised and demanding task so having units specifically trained for this task (including CAT and counter sniper units like USSS and Indian SPG) is sensible or their entire ethos, training and resources and pulled towards this end. however if you have a SF unit like SSG that has trained to do a wide variety of activities such as airborne ops, HRT, jungle, mountain, urban warfare, CI, demolition, long-range patrols, ambushes etc than VVIP training is only a VERY small part of their mission portfolio and it makes sense they are not as proficient at it as other units purely dedicated to this task. Not to mention a seeming waste of resources training these operators to do such actions and only utilising them in a very particular way. It seems like it is just for superficial reasons ie- having the best unit protect you (similar situation was felt by Indian NSG when all scumbag politicians wanted "Black Cat" commandos which diverted away from NSG's CI mandate so they set up a dedicated wing, SRG, recruited only from IPS and only used in VVIP protection whilst the CI wing, SAG, received form KA SOF maintained CI ready).

Just a few observations by me, please reply.

Yes currently we have this problem but as army is giving some special anti-terrorism training to the police of all provinces so this scenario might change in near future. Police commandos have also been trained by SSG.

DESERT FIGHTER · Oct 2, 2011

The Elite force is also trained by SSG ... too bad those guys r used by f..king politicians to protect their corrupt assez.

fatman17 · Oct 2, 2011

Special Operations School

History

The Special Services Group of Pakistan Army was raised in 1956 with Lt. Col. Abubakar Osman Mitha as its first Commanding Officer. The Special Services Group like Special Forces all over the world has been assigned multifarious tasks. It undertakes parachute commando operations, guerilla warfare operations, anti terrorist and frogmen operations. A lot of emphasis is laid on a very high standard of training to produce a soldier of the highest calibre who easily fits into the rigours of life in the Special Services Group.

Location

Special Operations School is located in Cherat which is called the home of Special Services Group. Cherat is located in the crest of Khattak Range at approx 4500 ft above sea level in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. It is 52 Kilometres from Peshawar and 54 kilometres from Nowshera. The road from Cherat bifurcates from Pabbi Railway Station on Grand Truck Road. Timewise it is approx 45 minutes drive from Pabbi Railway Station. The climate in Cherat is very pleasant in summers and cold in winters. Strong winds are a constant feature.

Educational Philosophy

Serving with Special Services Group is very demanding both physically and mentally. The philosophy of education in this institution aims at imparting such training in an environment which allows the true self of student trainees to emerge in their physical, psychological and mental prowess. It aims at obtaining optimum mental and physical performance from students in extreme conditions. This not only contributes towards self-discovery of students but also makes possible the right selection of personnel for induction into Special Services Group.

Faculty

The school has a dedicated faculty and staff for each category of the course. Break down of the faculty is as follows:

Advance Training Wing
Basic Training Wing
Special Training and Publication Wing
Research, Trials and Publication Wing
Administrative Support Wing

The Courses

Officers Advance Commando Course
Basic Commando Course (Officers and Soldiers)
Anti Terrorist Course
Sniper Course
Security Course (Officers and Soldiers)
Advance Frogmen Course (Officers and Soldiers)
Professional Unarmed Combat Course (Martial Arts) (Officers and Soldiers)

Selection Criteria

Commando Course

Should be a volunteer
Medical Category TV
Maximum service 5 Years
Should be less than 25 years of age.

Physical Standards
Chin ups - 8
Sit ups - 30 in one minute
Push up - 30 in one minute
1 Mile run - 7.30 minutes

Anti Terrorist, Security and Sniper Course

Should be a marksman in pistol and rifle firing
Medical Category 'A'
Physical standards same as for commando course

Frogman Course

Medical Category 'A'
Should qualify chamber test upto 180 ft sea water.
Physical standards as above.
Swimming Standards
Should be able to swim 200 meters in 7 minutes (breast stroke)
Should be able to swim 25 meters Underwater
Should be able to swim 30 meters in full uniform with weapon

Professional Unarmed Combat Course

Physical standards as mentioned in the frogmen course

Campus

The School campus in Cherat comprises an administration block, two training blocks and two residential blocks for trainee officers and men. The campus is situated within Cherat Cantonment and no separate boundary exists. There is also a cinema hall and canteen. These blocks and facilities are within walking distance.

Training Facilities

Model Rooms
Class Rooms
Survival Range
Explosive Range
Firing Range
Assault Courses
Cinema Hall
Mountain Craft Training sites
Frogmen Training sites
Fighting in Built Up Area Range
Killing Houses for Anti Terrorist Training
Close Quarter Battle Firing Range

Conclusion

The standards maintained in various courses are very high which results into major dropouts at various stages of the course. The standards are kept high to ensure suitable intake into the Special Services Group.

Manticore · Oct 3, 2011

i google translated a page , couldnt make much of it other than exercise in behrain-- sorry if posted earlier
'

Manticore · Oct 6, 2011

2010

Manticore · Oct 15, 2011

Manticore · Oct 15, 2011

Manticore · Oct 15, 2011

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