The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India comprise seven distinct forces operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, each with a specialized role in the country’s security. The Assam Rifles, established in 1835 as the ‘Cachar Levy,’ now conduct anti-terrorist operations in the North-East Region (NER) and maintain security along the India-China and India-Myanmar borders, earning the nickname ‘Friends of the North East’ due to their deep ties with local tribes. The Border Security Force (BSF), formed in 1965, is tasked with protecting India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, countering insurgency in the NER, and is recognized as the world’s largest border guarding force. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), dating back to 1939, is the principal force for internal security and riot control. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), raised in 1962, specializes in high-altitude operations, securing the Indo-China border, and responding to natural disasters. The National Security Guard (NSG), established in 1984 following Operation Blue Star, is a federal counter-terrorism unit comprising the Special Action Group and Special Ranger Groups. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), created in 1963, guards the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders, focusing on border security and anti-smuggling operations. Lastly, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), formed by an act in 1968, is dedicated to the security of critical industrial installations and is the only CAPF with a specialized fire wing. Together, these forces form a comprehensive security network, safeguarding India’s territorial integrity, combating various security challenges, and ensuring peace within the nation’s borders.
India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) constitute a structure of seven security forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Each force has a distinct origin, objective, and operational role within the country. Let’s explore them step by step for a clearer understanding.
Assam Rifles (AR)
- Origin: Established in 1835, originally known as the ‘Cachar Levy’.
- Objectives: Initially formed to protect British Tea estates, the force now conducts anti-terrorist operations in North-Eastern Region (NER), secures the India-China and India-Myanmar borders, and has played significant roles in the Sino-India War of 1962 and peacekeeping in Sri Lanka (1987).
- Community Connection: Due to their long-standing association with tribal belts, the Assam Rifles are also fondly referred to as the ‘Friends of the North East’.
Border Security Force (BSF)
- Origin: Came into existence in 1965.
- Objectives: The BSF is responsible for securing land borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, performing anti-infiltration tasks in the Kashmir Valley, and countering insurgency in the NER. It also undertakes anti-Naxal operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Wings: The force includes air, marine, wing, and artillery regiments, along with commando units.
- Recognition: The BSF is India’s ‘First Line of Defence’ and is known as the largest border guarding force globally.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- Origin: Its roots trace back to 1939 during the pre-independence era as the ‘Crown Representative’s Police’.
- Post-Independence Evolution: In 1949, under the CRPF Act, it became the Central Reserve Police Force.
- Objective: The CRPF is tasked with crowd control, riot control, counter militancy, and insurgency operations. It is the principal central police force for internal security within India.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- Origin: Formed in 1962.
- Objectives: The ITBP is charged with the deployment on the border from Karakoram Pass to Jachep La, covering 3488 km of the India-China border. They man border outposts at altitudes ranging from 9000 to 18700 feet in various sectors of the Indo-China Border.
- Specialty: The ITBP is recognized as India’s specialized mountain force and the first responder to natural disasters in these high-altitude regions.
National Security Guard (NSG)
- Origin: Established in 1984, post Operation Blue Star, and officially became operational in 1986.
- Objectives: It is a federal contingency world-class counter-terrorism unit.
- Structure: The NSG is a task-oriented force comprising two complementary elements: the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG).
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
- Origin: This force was raised in 1963.
- Objectives: The SSB is responsible for guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. Their mandate includes enhancing border security, curbing trans-border crimes, preventing unauthorized entry/exit, and halting smuggling activities.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- Origin: This force was created following the Central Industrial Security Force Act of 1968.
- Objectives: The CISF ensures the security of major critical infrastructure installations across the country.
- Unique Feature: It is the only CAPF unit with a specialized fire wing.
Each force plays a crucial role in maintaining the sovereignty and integrity of India, with specific mandates tailored to diverse challenges ranging from border security to counter-terrorism and disaster response. Understanding the CAPF is essential to appreciate the multifaceted security apparatus that safeguards the nation.