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Special Service Group (Navy)

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This article is about thePakistan Navy's special forces. For thePakistan Army,seeSpecial Service Group.For other uses, seespecial service (disambiguation).
Special Service Group (Navy)
The Special Warfare Badge of Pakistan Navy
Active1966;58 years ago(1966)
CountryPakistan
BranchPakistan Navy
TypeSpecial operations force
Role
Part ofCoastal Command
Garrison/HQPNS IqbalinKarachiinSindh
Nathiagali,Ras Muariin [Sindh]][1]
Nickname(s)SEAL Team,Navy SEAL,SSGN,Frogmen,Black Storks,Daredevils
Motto(s)Let it not be said that we did not prove equal to the task.[2]
Engagements
See list
Websitenavy special service group
Commanders
Current
commander		V/AdmRaja Rab Nawaz

ThePakistan Navy Special Service Group(reporting name:Navy SSGor simplyPakistan Navy SEALs,[3][4]) is thespecial operationsforcetasked with the conducting the small-unit basedmilitary operationsin all environmental formats of thesea, air, and landby adopting to the tactics of theunconventional warfare.[2][5]

The command and control of the Special Service Group (Navy) falls under the responsibility of theNaval Strategic Forces Commandand its personnel are directly recruited intoISI'sCovert Action Division(CAD) upon their retirements from their military service.[5]

There is no official report on the actual strength or their military missions since their operational works are subjected to thesecrecyby thefederal governmentofPakistan;knowledge of their works and tactics known in public through the only authorized media works and nonfiction works by the navy veteran.[6]

History[edit]

Birth of the Navy SSG[edit]

Main article:United States-Pakistan military relations

After thesecond warwith India in 1965, the Pakistan Navy recognized the need for establishing the armed forces diving unit to conduct thecovertreconnaissanceoflanding beachesandcoastal defensesfrom the attacks by the approaching enemy.[7]Despite its vision and efforts, the Navy had little experience incombat divingand had little educational understanding about the nature of the seaborne special operations.: contents [8]In 1966,Vice-AdmiralS. M. Ahsantook personal initiatives establishing the special operations force within the Navy by organizing theunderwater demolition teams(UDTs) tasked with gathering intelligence while operating themidget submarines.[9]

The establishment of the Special Service Group (Navy) lies from the contribution by the Pakistan Army'sSpecial Service Groupwhose frogmen team— theMusa Company— first initially trained the Navy personnel on the military combat diving in 1966.: contents [8]Initially training of the personnel volunteered for the Special Service Group (Navy) took place inCheratinKhyber Pakhtunkhwa,first initially getting trained for thecoastal defenses.: contents [10]

Crucial training on getting trained on thesea, air, and landenvironmental formats came from theUnited States Navywhen the first unit of theU.S. Navy SEALswas detached to the Pakistan Navy in Karachi, also in 1966.: 71 The teams in the Navy Special Service Group were given training on thearmed forces diving,high-altitude parachuting,demolitions,foreign languages, and the intelligence management for the intelligence services.[11]

In 1970, the joint training of the Navy SSG and theU.S. Navy SEALstook place inNaval Base Iqbalin Karachi coast, receiving training and getting the expertise in thesea, air, and landenvironmental formats.: 71 

Since the 1970s, the Navy SSG teams are occasionally sent to theUnited Statesfor specialized courses and training conducted with the United States Navy SEALs.[12]

Deployments, covert actions and current history[edit]

Main articles:Operation Barisal,Bangladesh Liberation War,Indo-Pakistani War of 1971,War in Afghanistan (2001–present),andWar in North-West Pakistan
The Navy SSG and theU.S. Navy SEALsconducting the force-protection and under-water special forces training in 2011.

In March 1971, the Navy SSG were deployed in theEast-Pakistanto support theArmy Special Service Group(SSG) instead of the Army's frogmen team— theMusa Companythat remained in Pakistan to conduct theinland waterwaysoperations.: contents [10]Their firstdirect actionbasedmilitary missiontook place in a counterinsurgency operation in Barisal inEast-Pakistan,which turned out be a successful in maintaining the control of the city.[13]

In April 1971, the Navy SSG teams were involved in taking another direct actions inTouloninFrancewhen the thirteen East-Pakistani enlists decided totakeover the submarineto try defecting toIndiabut their plans were foiled due to advance knowledge that theNaval Intelligencehad gathered on their plans.: 43–44 [14]The Navy SSG teams engagement with theBengali insurgents,takingmilitary counter actionsat the ports ofChittagongand theCox's Bazar.[15]The Navy SSG teams operated fromDaccaunder the command of theCaptainAhmad Zamirbut the teams returned toPakistanin September 1971 to be trained in operating theX-Craftmidget submarines.: 108 [16]

After thethird warwith India in 1971, the Army–Navy interaction continues with the Navy's taking forefront responsibility of setting the important role in the overall architecture of the special operations forces.: 100 [3]In the 1980s, the Navy Special Service Group was deployed inproviding military assistancetoSri Lankan militaryduring thecivil warinSri Lanka,playing crucial role to curb the insurgency in the country.: 70–73 [17]

Pakistan Navy Special Forces (SSG-N) operatives

The Navy SSG's focused moves towards the special military operations to combating terrorism from the seaborne platform after theterrorist attacksin theUnited Statesin 2011.[7]The Navy Special Service Group became involved in theAfghan warand the extendedmilitary operationsin Western Pakistan in a joint coordination with theArmy Special Service Groupin a conflict with theforeign fighters,Talibans,and theal-Qaeda.: 76 [18]

The Navy SSG's SEAL Team was involved in taking a crucial direct action againstTaliban fightersin dislodgingtheir attackon theMehran Naval Air Stationin May 2011.: 76 [18]

In 2014, the Navy SEAL Teams successfully engaged theal-Qaedafighters after they attempted to maneuver theguided missile frigate,thePNSZulfiquar (251),and successfully neutralize the attack without the damage done to the guided missile frigate as well as apprehending the attackers alive.[19]

Command structure[edit]

Main articles:List of military special forces unitsandPNS Iqbal
The Navy SSG SEAL Team working towards the underwater demolition charges with theUS Navy SEALsduring themilitary exerciseinAlexandriainEgyptin 2009.

Due to their selective competitiveness, the demandingmilitary physicals,and the commitment required by the Navy's special operations, the Navy Special Service Group is much more tighter contingent compared to theArmy Special Service Group,though the selection for the Navy's Special Service Group is open to all naval personnel serving in the different combat branches of the Navy.[5]The Navy SSG is much more discreet than the Army SSG since their operations and works are subjected to thesecrecymarked by theNavythough it is known that it is an all-male special operation force.[5]

The control and command structure of the Navy Special Service Group is based in thePNS Iqbal— the naval base inKarachi,SindhinPakistan— and their operations are controlled through the Naval Special Operations Training Center (NSOTC).[20]Their armed forces diving training establishment and structure was initially based in thePNS Himalayabut later consolidated their entire structure with the commissioning of theIqbal Naval Baseon 19 March 1967.[21]

The organizational structure of the Navy Special Service Group follows theirArmy Special Service Groupcounterparts, and its organizational structure is based on thecommand formationreporting directly the Commander of theCoastal Areas(COMCOAST).[21]The Navy Special Service Group has three sub command formations that specialized in their own set of war course of actions–each command is specialized in their criterion of war and are considered specialists in their fields.[21]

The Navy Special Service Group's operational responsibility of conducing the special operations, nonetheless, falls under the command of theNaval Strategic Forces Command(ASFC) operating from theNavy NHQin Islamabad.: 44 [22]

According to the Navy's official website, the Navy Special Service Group is organized with theIqbal Naval Basethat is having responsible to control the each command.[21]

Navy SSG Command and Control Headquarters
Commanding OfficerPNS Iqbal(CO PNS Iqbal)
(Source: Sub-command PNS Iqbal)
Commanding OfficerSEAL Group (CO SEAL)

COSEAL Team (SEAL)

COAirborne Team (ABT)

COAnti-Terrorist Team (ATT)

COUnderwater Demolition Team(UDT)

(Source: Sub-command SEAL Group)
Commanding OfficerVBSS Group(CO VBSS)

COClose Quarters BattleTeam (CQB Team)

COVBSSTeam (VBSS Team)

CONaval Interdiction OperationTeam (NIO Team)

(Source: Sub-command VBSS Group)
(Source: official website)
Source:PNS Iqbal and Navy Special Service Group organizational structure

In 1968, the Navy Special Service Group was operating at least sixItalian-builtSX-404classmidget submarineto function as aSEAL delivery vehicleand had priority over theHangorprogramat some time in 1970.: 154–155 [23]As of 2019,the Navy Special Service Group currently operates at least threeCosmos-classmidget submarinesthat are designed to be inducted for the SEAL Group, and locally known as the "X-Craft.": 73 [24]TheCosmos-classare currently known to be stationed inPNS Iqbalwith theSX-404class.: 154–155 [23]

The military administration at thePNS Iqbalalso facilitates the advance training of the selected personnel of the Navy special Service Group to be trained with theU.S. Navy SEALsinCaliforniaandVirginia.[12]

SEALs Teams in the Special Services Group (SSGN)[edit]

The Navy Special Service Group is composed of the three sub-commands: CO PNS Iqbal, CO SEAL Group, and CO VBSS Group— all are trained in their specialized tasks and considered specialists in the specific type of war operations.[12]

The maritime authors and historians of the Pakistan Navy have provided the rough and the guessed estimation of personnel which was neared around 1,000 SSGN operatives but the department of navy has never issued an actual strength number of its personnel serving in the Navy Special Service Group.: 73 [18][5]

The official strength and the identities of its personnel serving in each sub-commands are subjected to thesecrecyby the department of navy and theDefense ministryhas never commented or the Navy itself has never issued the official number of strength of its personnel, including the officers commanding, citing security.[5]In the Navy, the commands of the teams varies by the officer ranking fromOF-2rank (lieutenant) toOF-5rank (commander), depending on the availability and the difficulty posed by the missions.[5]

Groups Of Pak Navy Special Services Group (SSGN)
PNS Iqbal Group Call Name Details
PNS Iqbal Group CO PNS Iqbal The Logistical HQ of the Navy SSG.CO Iqbaloversees training, logistics, and support measures for SEAL and VBBS Group.
Navy SEAL Group Call Name 'Details
SEAL Team SEAL Oriented towards theFour-dimensionalism—conducts clandestine operations behind the lines without detection on allsea, air, and landformats.[25]
Airborne Team ABT Oriented towardsHAHO/HALOmethods in oceans.[7][25]
Navy Anti-Terrorist Team NATT Team Acted as thequick response teamto the seaborne-basedterrorist attacks.[21]
Underwater Demolition Team UDT Team Acted as the specialists on the methods of underwater demolition behind enemy lines.[21]
Navy VBSS Group Call name Details
Visit Board Search Seizure Team VBSS Oriented towards the enemyVBSSmethods.[21]
Close Quarters Battle Team CQB Team Oriented towards the hand-to-hand and close-fire range conflict.[21]
Naval Interdiction Operation Team NIO Team Oriented theinterdictionand the maritimesecurity operations.[21]

Sources:Pakistan Navyofficial websiteandGlobalSecurity.orgby John Pike.[25]

Selection process and training[edit]

Qualification and military physicals[edit]

Main articles:Qualifications and physicals for the Special Forces of PakistanandFor examples and information for Navy SEALs criteria for selection and training, see United States Navy SEAL selection and training
The Navy Special Service Group'sVBSS Teamboarded on theCRRC boatunder thecommandofLt.Uzair Khalid preparing to board on therigid-hulled boatduring the drill took place inSea of Omanin 2005.

According to the Pakistan Navy'sMedical Corpsreports and the media documentaries, the selection is extremely competitive and demands the strongphysical conditioningfrom their prospective candidates prior admitting into the Navy Special Service Group.[6]

The Navy Special Service Group's qualification and military physical standards are akin and reflects the selection criteria of theUnited States Navy SEALsselection and training,according toCommanderKashif—the senior trainer in the Navy SEAL Team's interview given toTakrar(lit. Confrontation) host Imran R. Khan.[26]

Those prospective candidates who have very high regards of theirself respectand their selfless commitment to serve the country only, anytime their services are needed by the Navy for the area deployment, are the only intakes in the Navy Special Service Group, commented byV-Adm.(retd.)S. Tauquir Naqvi—the retired SEAL Team member and the former commander of the Navy SSG.[7]

Drop out attrition rates from the physical standards of the Navy is average between the 80-to-90%, matching theArmy Special Service Group's drop rate in Cherat[6]Those who have failed the mental and physical requirements are then sent to their regular jobs in the Navy.[6]The military physical standards, examinations, and criteria are same for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines' special forces selections and training, often training in close coordination.[27]There are three special operations schools in the Pakistan, the Navy's sniper and frogmen school criteria follows the military physical requirement:

  • Naval Special Operations Training Center (Naval SOTC)
  • Sniper School
    • Must have 20/20 or corrected to 20/20 in both near and distant vision in both eyes.[28]
    • Medical Category "A".[27]
  • Frogman School
    • Medical Category "A".[27]
    • Must have qualification in Chamber test up to 180 feetsea water.[27]
  • Swimming Standards
    • Should be able to swim 200 meters in 7 minutes (breast stroke).[27]
    • Should be able to swim 25 meters Underwater.[27]

Selection and training[edit]

Pakistan Navy SEAL Team members receiving instructions on the compression diving from theUS Navy SEALsin 2011.

The military physicals for the getting accepted in the Navy is maintained to be very high standard and requires the prospective individual has to spend nearly five years in the Navy that validates their commitment to their profession and the Navy— this is the same requirement for theArmy Special Service Group.[27]Training for the Navy Special Service Group is extremely rigorous that included being able to earn the swimming badge after completing the 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) in 10 hours in an open sea,[26]theHALO/HAHOairborne qualification badge,[26]andspecial weaponsqualification badge.[26]

The Navy Special Service Group's training courses:

    • 18-week Clearance Diving Course.[21]
    • 10-week Advance Frogman Course.[21]
    • 4-week Re-Compression Chamber Course.[21]

Training of the Navy Special Service Group also included the training on theJudo/Karateka,Frogman maneuver,and thedrownproofing(ability to stay afloat while tide up in the water).[6]The Navy maintains its own Parachute Training School in Oramar based on the Army'sParachute Training Schoolin Cherat, where the prospective individual excelled on itsHALO/HAHOandstatic lineskills after performing the combat jump from 15,000 feet (4,600 m)– this course usually held for 4-weeks.[26]

The training courses on the Navy Special Service Group emphasis on the strongmentalandphysical conditioningthat includes the 36-36 miles (58 km) march, a requirement that was first institutionalized by theArmy Special Service Groupin 1956.[26]

Once the 8-month course is complete, the navy sailors who are volunteering to join the SSGN are then given specialized training in maritime and amphibious warfare at the specialized training school located inKarachi.[26]

The Combat Diver badge is awarded for the course held by the Navy Special Service Group— there are three classes of combat swimmers are recognized: 1st class to complete an 18-mile or more swim in the designated time period; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim.[26]Navy's sniper training and air assault courses are held at the Naval Special Operations Training Center (Naval SOTC) inNathiagaliinKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[1]

The Navy has its own airborne school in Oramara, frogmen school in Karachi, and the special operations school in Nathiagali.[1][29]The advance training on the special warfare environments jointly takes place with theArmy Special Service Groupwhere the SEAL Teams are trained in long distance marksmanship sniper warfare at the Army Sniper School, arctic warfare at the Army School of High Altitude, mountain warfare at the Army School of Mountain Warfare inCherat,desert warfare inChor,and often popular in the country for taking participation with the army's snipers in various competition.[30]

Notable members[edit]

Name and Members Portrait Notes Rank Notes on Credentials
Fasih Bokhari — Admiral The Chairman ofNAB(2011–13), and theChief of NavalStaff(1997–1999).
Abdul Aziz Mirza — Admiral TheChief of Naval Staff(1999–02).
S.T.H Naqvi Vice-Admiral Commander of Navy Special Service Group, and former Chair of theNational Shipping Corporation(2002–05)
Javed Iqbal — Vice-Admiral Diplomat, analyst, and the naval intelligence officer
Shamoon Allam — Vice-Admiral Diplomat
Maqsood Ahmed Lieutenant The retired Navy SEAL, and currently heading the taskforce —Special Security Unitin Karachi

Influence on foreign units[edit]

Since its establishment in 1966, the Navy Special Service Group provided military training to the Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Iran and Sri Lanka, also conducts training exercise with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Bahrain.[21]

Appearance and equipment[edit]

Main article:U.S. Woodland
US and Pak Navy VBSS teams boards ship during a joint exercise
TheU.S. M81is the standard uniform for the Navy Special Service Group'sBattle Dress Uniformas seen wore by the VBSS Team operating in theIndian Ocean


The Special Forces in Pakistani military adopted theirBattle Dress Uniformin favor of theU.S. woodland(or M81) with amaroon beretsin 1990.: 100 [3]The Special Forces in Pakistan follows the combat gear of thePakistan Armyas the Army Special Service Group authorized theU.S. woodland (M81)as their battle dress uniform with amaroon berets,a common color for the airborne forces, with a silver metal tab on a light bluefeltsquare with adaggerandlightning bolts,and a wing on the right side of the chest.: 100 [3]

The Navy Special Service Group closely follows theArmy Special Service Group,adopting to wear theU.S. woodland(or M81) with amaroon berets,a common color for the airborne forces.: 71 [17]

The Navy Special Service Group is only distinguished by their officially issued berets— a dark blue beret with three versions of the"fouled anchor"badge for all of its personnel.: 71 [17]A metal SSGN qualification badge featuring a vertical dagger superimposed over a midget submarine is worn over the left pocket on dress uniforms. Parachute wings are worn over the right pocket.: 71 [17]

Weaponry[edit]

TheU.S.-madeM4 carbinerifle: This is the standard issue for the Navy Special Service Group.
TheAustrian-designedSteyr AUG:This is the standard assault rifle for the VBSS Teams only.
The standard issue for the Navy SSG snipers is thePOF PSR-90Mas seen in the photage.

Pistols

Sub-machine guns

Assault rifles

Sniper rifles

Light Machine guns

Air Defence & Rocket Launchers

Helmets

Bullet Proof Jacket/Armor

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcd"Counterterrorism training provided by the Pakistan Navy to be an Asset to effectively challenge the terrorists".Press readers. 26 August 2017.Retrieved17 February2019– via PressReader.
  2. ^abBaloch, Qaim Ali."Commandos from Beyond the Silence of the Sea"(.watch).youtube.Retrieved10 February2019.[dead YouTube link]
  3. ^abcdOberoi, Vijay (2006).Special Forces: Doctrine, Structures, and Employment Across Spectrum of Conflict in the Indian Context.Knowledge World. p. 458.ISBN9788187966395.Retrieved11 February2019.
  4. ^The Special Services Group Navy was established by the United States Navy SEALs in 1966. The SSG(N) or SSG-N is known by other names. There are also known as "Pakistan Naval SEALs", "Naval Special Services Group", "Naval Commandos (Pakistan Navy)"
  5. ^abcdefgKhan, Wajahat Saeed (12 April 2011)."Special Service Group (Navy) - Pakistan - Documentary"(.watch).youtube.Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan: Navy ISPR.Retrieved10 February2019.
  6. ^abcdeKhan, Wajahat Saeed."Mahaaz with Wajahat Saeed Khan - Pak Navy Ka Mahaaz - 29 October 2017 - Dunya News".Dunya News.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.Retrieved10 February2019.
  7. ^abcdNaqvi, PN, V-Adm. Syed Tauqeer Hussain (7 January 2017)."Pakistan Navy Seals"(.watch).youtube.Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan: ISPR Navy.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.Retrieved10 February2019.
  8. ^abRyan, Mike; Mann, Chris; Stilwell, Alexander (2014). "(§Special Forces: Pakistan)".The Encyclopedia of the World's Special Forces: Tactics, History, Strategy, Weapons(google books).Amber Books Ltd.ISBN9781907446894.Retrieved30 January2019.
  9. ^Goldrick, James (1997).No Easy Answers.New Delhi: Lancer's Publications and Distributors.ISBN1-897829-02-7.
  10. ^abConboy, Kenneth (2012). "(§Naval Special Forces)".In Hannon, Paul (ed.).Elite forces of India and Pakistan(google books)(1st ed.). Indiana, U.S.: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 64.ISBN9781780967677.Retrieved10 February2019.
  11. ^Government of Pakistan, Navy Press Release."Special Service Group (Navy)".The Directorate-General for the Naval Inter-Services Public Relations (Navy ISPR).Naval Inter-Services Public Relations (Navy ISPR). Archived fromthe originalon 19 April 2012.Retrieved19 April2012.
  12. ^abcPakistan Navy Special ForcesArchived2011-06-29 at theWayback MachineGlobal Special Forces
  13. ^Usman, Shabbir (1 June 2003)."Riverine Operations of PN Gunboats in East Pakistan « PakDef Military Consortium".pakdef.org.Karachi. Pakistan: PakDef Military Consortium.Retrieved11 February2019.
  14. ^Jacob, Lt. Gen. J. F. R., Surrender at Dacca, Birth of A Nation, pp. 43-44
  15. ^Surrender at Dacca: Birth of A Nation, Jacob, Lt. Gen. J. F. R., p. 90
  16. ^Hiranandani, G. M. (2000). "(§Pakistan Navy's Underwater Forces Program)".Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975(google books).New Delhi, India: Lancer Publishers. p. 400.ISBN9781897829721.Retrieved11 February2019.
  17. ^abcdUSA, IBP (2009).Pakistan Intelligence, Security Activities and Operations Handbook.Lulu.ISBN9781438737218.
  18. ^abcWaters, Conrad (2011).Seaforth World Naval Review 2012.New York, U.S.: Seaforth Publishing. p. 200.ISBN9781783466320.Retrieved11 February2019.
  19. ^Zaman, Fahim; Ali, Naziha Syed (13 September 2014)."Dockyard attackers planned to hijack Navy frigate".DAWN.COM.Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan: Dawn Newspaper. Dawn Newspaper.Retrieved20 December2018.
  20. ^"50 glorious years of Pakistan Navy's SSG".News International.29 March 2017.Retrieved12 February2019.
  21. ^abcdefghijklm"PNS Iqbal".paknavy.gov.pk.Retrieved12 February2019.
  22. ^Mukherjee, Anit; Mohan, C. Raja (2015).India's Naval Strategy and Asian Security.Routledge. p. 260.ISBN9781317361343.Retrieved12 February2019.
  23. ^abSingh, Kunwar Rajendra; Analyses, Institute for Defence Studies and (2002).Navies of South Asia.Rupa & Co. published under the auspices of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. p. 459.ISBN9788129100498.Retrieved12 February2019.
  24. ^Waters, Conrad (2011).Seaforth World Naval Review 2012.USA: Seaforth Publishing. p. 191.ISBN9781783466320.Retrieved12 February2019.
  25. ^abcPike, John."Special Service Group (Navy) SSG(N)".globalsecurity.org.Global Security.Retrieved13 February2019.
  26. ^abcdefghKhan, Imran R. (6 September 2016)."Express News: Defense Day Special: The Pakistan SSG Navy"(.watch/tv).youtube(in Urdu). Karach/Gwadar coast: Express News.Retrieved13 February2019.
  27. ^abcdefg"Special Operations School: Selection Criteria".pakistanarmy.gov.pk.Retrieved26 January2019.
  28. ^Khiyal, Cdr. Roshan (21 February 2011)."History of the Special Service Group (SSG) - Pakistan Army - Part 1"(.watch)./ youtube(in Urdu). Islamabad: ISPR YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.Retrieved26 January2019.
  29. ^"Special Service Group (Pakistan Navy)".facebook.Retrieved17 February2019.
  30. ^Newspaper, the (3 November 2015)."Raheel praises army shooters' marksmanship".DAWN.COM.Retrieved17 February2019.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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