IAF 'Garud' training with US special forces in JK

New Delhi, Mar 13: The Indian Air Force's elite 'Garud' commandos -- who have followed their sister Services in tackling insurgency in Jammu&Kashmir -- are now honing their combat skills in concert with elements of the United States 'Special Forces'.

The 'Garud' commandos recently joined their Army and Navy counterparts -- 31 RR (Commando) and the Navy's 'Marcos' posted at Wular Lake -- in undertaking specialised counter-insurgency operations in the troubled northern Indian state.

''We felt that the 'Garud', so far cooling their heels in 'normal security duties' at IAF establishments around the country, would benefit immensely from a spell of active duty in the Valley'', a senior IAF official told UNI.

Meanwhile, a handpicked 'Garud' element was engaged in sharpening combat skills along with a US 'Special Forces' unit at the premier US Air Base Nellis -- near Las Vegas -- in Nevada, the official said.

Nellis is a member of the US Air Force's Air Combat Command and home of the US Air Force Warfare Centre. With five Wings and more than 150 aircraft, the Warfare Centre is responsible for Advanced Combat Training, tactics development and operational testing.

The Centre also conducts worldwide combat operations with the 'Predator' Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

At Nellis, the 'Garud' commandos were also expected to pick up skills in operating UAVs. India's UAVs 'Heron II', 'Searcher' and 'Nishant' have performed well along the Line of Control in J&K as well as the International Border elsewhere.

UNI