Special Operations Group (Jammu and Kashmir)

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is a 1000-strong elite anti-insurgency force chosen from more than 100,000 troopers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. It was raised in 1994 with the idea of "involving the passive Jammu and Kashmir Police in the anti-terrorist activities and giving a local face to these operations". The J&K police has since been very competent and on the frontlines in anti-terror activities. The SOG members are also the first targets of the militant groups and local separatists alike.

Overview

In every district of the state, SOG Group is headed by S.P operations or Dy S.P. operations who are young and determined to cope up with militancy. The recruits of the Special Operations Group are young men from all the regions of the state and reflect Jammu and Kashmir's various ethnic groups: Kashmiris, Gujjars, Dogras and Sikhs. Many of them have been the victims of militancy in the state. The group is a volunteer force comprising police officers and policemen. The volunteers come for different reasons: some genuinely want to fight anti-India insurgents, while some are motivated by the incentives offered.

Every militant killed by the group earns it between ₹35,000 (US$440) and ₹50,000 (US$630), according to a police officer. Bonuses are paid for arresting the militants and capturing arms and ammunitions. There are also out-of-turn promotions. Hundreds of officers have risen up the ranks while hundreds of policemen have become officers in a matter of a few years, thanks to their stints in the SOG.

Whenever there is a Militant attack in Jammu & Kashmir, SOG personnel are the first ones to reach the spot. In addition, SOG personnel have been regularly called in to control stone pelting incidents when the situation gets out of control for local Police and Paramilitary.

SOG has conducted many cordon and search operations in the main commercial hub Lal Chowk recently.

The group usually does not wear Khaki uniform instead they wear Camouflage uniform and cover their faces all the time.

Indian Army has hardly conducted any Counter Insurgency operation in Jammu & Kashmir.