CRPF Boosts Anti-Terror Efforts in J&K with 11th CoBRA Battalion

Jammu and Kashmir :  In a significant move aimed at bolstering anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has announced plans to raise a new CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalion. This will be the elite force’s 11th unit, marking a strategic expansion of its counter-insurgency capabilities beyond the Naxal-affected regions for which CoBRA was originally conceptualized.

CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh made the announcement during the force’s 86th Raising Day celebrations held in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh. Speaking at the event, he said the decision to raise a new CoBRA unit was made under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and is aligned with the Centre’s broader push to strengthen internal security, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

“This will be the 11th CoBRA battalion. It is being specifically raised to enhance our operational capabilities in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in forested regions of the Jammu area, where recent incidents have highlighted the need for specialized counter-terror units,” Singh said.

The CoBRA units, known for their expertise in jungle warfare, were established in 2008 to combat Maoist insurgency in India’s Red Corridor. Over the years, they have earned a reputation for precision operations in difficult terrain. While some CoBRA companies were temporarily sent to the Kashmir Valley in 2023 for training and acclimatization, they were not actively deployed for operations. This new battalion marks the first dedicated deployment of CoBRA personnel for permanent counter-terror tasks in the Union Territory.

Currently, counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley are primarily handled by regular CRPF units, along with the specialized ‘Kashmir Valley Quick Action Team’ (QAT), which operates closely with intelligence and local law enforcement agencies.

The induction of a full-fledged CoBRA battalion is expected to provide a tactical edge in challenging terrains and high-threat zones, particularly in dense forests and hilly areas of Jammu, where militants have been increasingly active.

Officials indicated that the new battalion will undergo rigorous training before deployment, focusing on high-altitude warfare, forest combat tactics, and real-time coordination with other security agencies.