COBRA is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force of India proficient in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare. Originally established to counter the Naxalite problem, CoBRA is deployed to address insurgent groups engaging in asymmetrical warfare. Currently numbering ten battalions, CoBRA is ranked among one of India's most experienced and successful law enforcement units.
Background
In 2009, the MHA has approved raising of 10 CoBRA to meet the challenges being posed by naxalites. It was created with the view of attacking on naxalite insurgents within their camps. Accordingly, in phased manner the CoBRA battalions were raised – 02 Bn in 2008–09, 04 Bn in 2009–10, 04 Bn in 2010–11. CoBRA Battalions are trained to adapt in multi tasking skills operations in extreme terrain. CoBRA personnel are trained in guerrilla warfare, field engineering, tracking of explosives, jungle survival techniques along with ops tactics to fight insurgents. Specialized training programme includes jungle warfare, Ops planning and execution, physical endurance, map reading and GPS, intelligence, heli-slithering. Special intelligence courses have been conducted by premier intelligence agencies to train troops in intelligence gathering. To maintain uniformity of standards and evolution of a unique CoBRA ethos as well as training of troops, a dedicated CoBRA school of jungle warfare & tactics is under active consideration. CoBRA Bn, true to its training and competence have killed 61 naxals and apprehended 866 suspects as well as recovered huge amount of arms, ammunition and explosives till 2011. The CoBRA personnel's efforts have also been acknowledged with 200 plus DG commendation discs. The valour and gallant actions of CoBRA have been recognised and the personnel have been decorated with 09 Gallantry medals including two Shaurya Chakra. CoBRA Commando Ashish Kumar Tiwari was awarded Shaurya Chakra for single-handedly pinning down a squad of Maoists which resulted in the killing of a top naxal leader and Asst Commandant RV Mishra for taking down a group of 32 Maoists in Jharkhand in a clandestine operation with a team of only 8 and killing 5 Maoist even after a mine shredded his leg while trying to save a fellow member.
History
The Indian government established 10 units for CoBRA since 2008.
Cobras are trained in the CRPF jungle warfare institutions in Belgaum and Koraput. Their training regime and duration is similar to that of lines of NSG Commandos. They are trained to adapt the art of camouflage and jungle warfare with main focus on jungle warfare. All the personnel are trained for heli borne insertion and drops. Regular refreshing training is carried out of the commandos to check their physical and firing skills matching the standard. Their role is to carry out reconnaissance and long range patrols, gather intelligence on the whereabouts of the insurgents, and also carry out ambushes and precision strikes when required. Their sniper teams can also be used to headshot key targets. After three months of training in Belgaum or Koraput, CoBRA members are deployed to their respective units to counter-Naxal activities.
Major operations
On 17 September 2009 an Operation conducted was in SingamdguDantewada district in which approx 30–40 Maoists were reported to be killed.
On 9 January 2010 under PS Jagargunda in district. Dantewada, 4 Maoists were killed and 112 Bore Gun with 4 Cartridges, 3 Muzzle Loading Gun, 2 Tiffin Bomb, 1 improvised explosive device, Drum and Maoists literature with photographs were recovered.
Ops Jaws carried out by 08 teams of 203 CoBRA from 11 TO 15 June in area of PS Sonua & Bandgaon District.- W/ Singhbhum, Jharkhand in which a Maoists camp was destroyed and reportedly 12 Maoists cadres were killed.
During an operation launched in Duli forest area in W/Midnapur district. on 15–16 June 2010, 8 Maoists cadres were killed and a huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered.
During an operation launched in Kayma forest area in W/Midnapur District. from 25–26 July 2010, 6 Maoists cadres were killed and a huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered.
In operation launched in Saranda forest area in District. – W/Singhbhum, Jharkhand from 24–28 September 2010 Cobra teams were able to penetrate deep in forest and kill one Maoist, apprehend 4 Maoists cadres, bust 12 Maoist camps and recover of arms, ammunitions and explosives.
