Srinagar, April 17: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has announced plans to raise a new CoBRA battalion specifically for counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir—marking a strategic expansion of the elite jungle warfare unit beyond its original mandate in Naxal-affected regions.
The announcement was made by CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh during the force’s 86th Raising Day celebrations held in Neemuch, the historic town considered the birthplace of the 3.25-lakh strong paramilitary force—the largest in the world.
The new Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is being formed under the directive of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also the chief guest at the ceremony.
“This new battalion will enhance the operational capacity of CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir,” said DG Singh, adding that the move reflects a proactive strategy to address emerging security challenges in the region.
According to senior officials, the new unit will focus on conducting intelligence-based counter-terror operations in the forested areas of Jammu and the Kashmir valley, regions that have seen a spike in terrorist activities in recent months.
While some CoBRA companies were previously sent to Kashmir in 2023 for training, they were not deployed in active operations. Currently, counter-terrorism efforts in the valley are being carried out by regular CRPF units and their specialized Kashmir Valley Quick Action Teams (QATs).
The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir unit will be the 11th CoBRA battalion. The force was originally raised between 2008–09 when Left Wing Extremism (LWE) was at its peak across several Indian states. By 2011, ten battalions had been raised to combat Naxal insurgency and insurgencies in the Northeast.
CoBRA commandos are specially trained in guerrilla tactics, jungle warfare, and intelligence-based operations. They are equipped with modern assault weapons, advanced communication tools, and surveillance equipment. A key operational challenge remains the recruitment of young, physically agile personnel, particularly officers, to maintain the unit’s high combat readiness.
The formation of this new battalion marks a significant shift in India’s internal security strategy and underscores the government’s resolve to intensify counter-terror efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.