Indian ArmyMajor General A. K. Dhingra, who is a military veteran from thePara SF, was appointed in May 2019 as the first head of the AFSOD.[4] The division is expected to be converted into a full sizedtri-servicecommand in the future.
The creation of the AFSOD was approved by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi during the Combined Commanders' Conference atJodhpur Air Force Station on 28 September 2018.[10] On 27 August 2025, theChief of Defence StaffGeneralAnil Chauhan released the "Joint Doctrine for Special Forces Operations" and "Joint Doctrine for Airborne & Heliborne Operations" during the Ran Samwad tri-service seminar at theArmy War College, Mhow. This doctrine was formulated under the leadership of the Doctrine Directorate, Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff, in coordination with the three Services. The doctrine is meant to document the principles, concepts, and frameworks for conducting Special Forces missions and Airborne Operations, respectively.[11][12]
The division concluded its first exercise, code-named 'Smelling Field', on 28 September 2019.[13] The exercise was carried out in the district ofKutch in the state ofGujarat.[14] The exercise was meant to help in ironing out, and subsequently addressing the challenges faced by the division.[15]
The second exercise was, code named 'DANX-2019', was subsequently held in theAndaman and Nicobar Islands. The exercise aims for the mobilization and field manoeuvre to validate defensive plans of ANC HQ ensuring territorial integrity of A&N Island[16]
The AFSOD is expected to serve as the main organisation responsible for carrying outspecial operations within and outside India.[2] They are expected to carry out missions such as targeting high-value installations and degrading the war-fighting capabilities of hostile nations.[17] The rationale behind the creation of this division is to pool the special abilities of each of thespecial forces units of the Armed Forces and enable them to operate together.[18][1] The division will also help in reducing operational costs, since it will enable each of the special warfare units to utilise common equipment.[13]
The division is expected to have around 3,000 soldiers, though the exact number remains classified.[19] The main components of the AFSOD are:[3]
Para (Special Forces): The Para SF is the special warfare branch of theIndian Army. They will form a major portion of the AFSOD with ten battalions of 620 operators each.[20][12]
MARCOS: The MARCOS is the special warfare branch of theIndian Navy. It is specialised in operations in a maritime environment, although it can operate in all environments.[21] The force is estimated to include 1,400 personnel.[12]
Garud Commando Force: The Garud Commando Force is the special warfare branch of theIndian Air Force. They are tasked to undertake missions in support of air operations. They are deployed at important military bases and assets and conductsearch and rescue missions during wartime.[22][23] As of 2025, Garud reportedly includes 27 'flights' with 1,600 personnel.[12]
Other systems: The division will be given operational control of transport aircraft, specialised weapon systems, and surveillance equipment.[20]
India
Integrated Defence Staff[2]
Major General M. S. Bains
