Marcos commando

MARCOS, or Marine Commandos, is the special forces unit of the Indian Navy responsible for conducting special operations.^[4]

Officially called the Marine Commando Force (MCF), MARCOS was raised in February 1987 as the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF). MARCOS are capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea, through air and on land.^[4][5] The force has gradually acquired experience and an international reputation for professionalism over the three decades it has been in existence.^[4] The MARCOS regularly undertake specialised maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, a 65 square kilometre freshwater lake, and conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region.^[6][5]MARCOS are reputedly called the ‘Dadhiwala Fauj’ (bearded army) by militants in Kashmir, owing to their bearded disguise.^[1][7]

MARCOS units are a part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.^[8]

                    

                 The Indian Armed Forces wanted to establish an amphibious warfare and maritime special operations force. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Navy supported the landing operations against the Pakistani base of Cox's Bazar, Operation Jackpot, landing an army brigade using Polnochny class landing ships without significant resistance. Before this operation, Indian navy divers provided basic training in underwater demolition to Bengali insurgents. However, this did not yield expected results. Later, different Indian army units were assigned amphibious roles in exercises. In 1983, the 340th Army Independent Brigade based at Trivandrum, was converted to an amphibious assault unit.^[9] Since then, the navy has conducted various exercises to demonstrate its amphibious abilities, notably the Andaman Islands in 1984, and Goa in 1986. These assault operations included both airborne and amphibious forces. In April 1986, the Indian Navy started planning for a maritime special force which could conduct amphibious reconnaissance, raids and counter-terrorist operations.^[10]

The force was initially trained by the other special forces of the country, including those under the Home Ministry and the Army. Three officers were then sent to undergo a hard training schedule with US Navy SEALs and further training was then acquired through exchanges with the British Special Air Service. The officers formed the first nucleus of the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) which was officially established in February 1987. The first batch of marine commandos qualified in February 1987. It was later renamed as the Marine Commando Force (MCF) in 1991.^[9]

             

MARCOS
Insignia of MARCOS
Active	1987 – present (32 years, 9 months)
Country	India
Allegiance	Republic of India
Branch	Indian Navy
Type	Special Operations Forces/Marines
Role	Primary tasks:[1] Amphibious operations Amphibious reconnaissance Direct action Counter-terrorist Hostage rescue
Regimental Centre	Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Kochi and Port Blair.
Nickname(s)	Magarmach (Crocodiles),[2] Dadhiwala Fauj (bearded army)[1]
Motto(s)	"The Few, The Fearless"[3][1]
Anniversaries	14 February.
Engagements	Operation Cactus, Operation Leech, Operation Pawan, Kargil War, Operation Black Tornado, Operation Cyclone, Counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir