Indian Army has raised a new generation of Bhairav Commando Battalions, a specialised modern-warfare force designed for swift, high-impact and technology-driven combat operations. These battalions represent a fusion of traditional warrior ethos and 21st-century military technology, marking a significant leap in India’s tactical and operational preparedness.
Named after Bhairav, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, the unit symbolises fearless protection and annihilation of threats, reinforcing India’s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty.
The Bhairav Battalions will make their public debut at the Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2026 at Kartavya Path, underlining their formal induction into India’s combat order.
Key Highlights
- The Bhairav Battalions are a new class of compact, high-tech strike units within the Indian Army.
- Two battalions will participate in the Republic Day Parade 2026:
- 2 Bhairav Battalion (Southern Command) – “Desert Falcons”
- War cry: Raja Ramchandra ki Jai
- *4 Bhairav Battalion (South Western Command)
- 2 Bhairav Battalion (Southern Command) – “Desert Falcons”
- These units reflect India’s shift towards rapid-response, hybrid and multi-domain warfare.
- The force is being raised as a permanent structural component of India’s defence architecture.
What are Bhairav Commando Battalions?
The Bhairav Commando Battalions are specialised fast-strike forces created to bridge the gap between regular infantry and elite special forces like Para SF.
While the Army has traditionally relied on:
- Infantry battalions for sustained operations, and
- Para Special Forces & Ghatak platoons for niche missions,
the Bhairav units are designed to operate between these two layers, handling high-risk, time-sensitive missions without over-stretching elite special forces.
Key Characteristics of Bhairav Battalions
- Strength: ~250 highly trained soldiers per battalion.
Manpower composition:
- Drawn from Infantry, Artillery, Air Defence, Signals and combat-support arms.
Selection & Training:
- Personnel are hand-picked.
- Undergo rigorous physical, psychological and specialised combat conditioning.
Equipment & Technology:
- State-of-the-art assault rifles
- Surveillance and combat drones
- Advanced night-vision and battlefield awareness systems
Operational Role:
- Designed for swift, surprise and high-impact operations.
- Capable of multi-domain tasks: ground combat, drone operations and electronic support.
Terrain Capability:
- Trained for Himalayan high-altitude warfare, deserts, jungles and urban combat.
Deployment Philosophy:
- Positioned close to borders under Corps- and Division-level formations.
- Focus areas: Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and the North-East.
Readiness:
- Built to “fight tonight” – rapid mobilisation without waiting for larger formations.
Force Structure:
- Indian Army is raising 15 Bhairav Battalions, with plans to expand up to 25 battalions.
Bridging the Operational Gap
The Bhairav Battalions are intended to:
- Bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular infantry.
- Conduct special operations from tactical to operational depth.
- Free up elite special forces for strategic-level missions.
They are part of a broader transformation of the Indian Army, which also includes:
- Creation of Rudra Brigades – integrated all-arms formations combining:
- Infantry
- Mechanised units and tanks
- Artillery
- Special forces
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Dedicated logistics and combat support
- Upgradation of Artillery, Mechanised Infantry and Armoured Corps with:
- Drones
- Modern battlefield management systems
- Network-centric warfare capabilities
Strategic Importance
- Rapid Response Capability
Enables faster deployment to conflict zones than conventional infantry. - Asymmetric & Hybrid Warfare
Strengthens India’s ability to counter terrorism, insurgency and grey-zone threats. - Deterrence Value
The presence of a specialised Bhairav unit near borders acts as a strong deterrent to cross-border aggression. - Operational Flexibility
Suitable for surgical strikes, counter-terror operations and limited-objective missions. - Future-Ready Force
Aligned with evolving doctrines of technology-intensive, networked and data-driven warfare.
Indian Army – Modernisation Context
- The Army is undergoing a decade-long transformation focusing on:
- Agility
- Jointness
- Technology absorption
- Multi-domain operations
- Emphasis on hybrid warfare, combining:
- Conventional combat
- Cyber and electronic warfare
- Unmanned systems
- Information dominance
Symbolism
- Bhairav: Fierce protector form of Lord Shiva, associated with:
- Destruction of evil
- Fearless guardianship
- Reflects the ethos of “Nishkam Karma” (selfless action in duty).