Ghatak Force Ghatak Platoon , or Ghatak Commandos , is a special operations capable infantry platoon . There is one platoon in every infantry battalion in the Indian Army . Ghatak is a Hindi word meaning " killer " or " lethal " . They act as shock troops and spearhead assaults ahead of the battalion . Role . Their operational role is similar to Scout Sniper Platoon , STA platoon of the USMC and the Patrols platoon of the British Army . They can be tasked by the battalion or brigade commander to carry out tasks such as special reconnaissance , raids on enemy artillery positions , airfields , supply dumps and tactical headquarters . They are also capable of directing artillery and air attacks on targets deep within enemy lines . Unit composition . A Ghatak Platoon is usually 20 - men strong , consisting of a commanding Captain , 2 non - commissioned officer s and some special teams like marksman and spotter pairs , light machine gun ners , medic and radio operator . The remaining soldiers act as assault troopers . Training . The most physically fit and motivated soldiers in an infantry battalion are selected to be a part of the Ghatak Platoon . Most undergo training at the Commando Training Course in Belgaum , Karnataka . Often , other specialized training like heliborne assault , rock climbing , mountain warfare , demolitions , advanced weapons training , close quarter battle and infantry tactics are also given . Members of the platoon are also sent to the High Altitude Warfare School and Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School . However , most of them are not parachute qualified . Equipment . These units are equipped with the Tavor TAR - 21 , INSAS or a version of the AK - 47 as their primary assault rifle . The marksmen are equipped with the Dragunov SVD rifle and Heckler & Koch MSG - 90 sniper rifles . They wear standard issue camouflage and body armour . Depending on the mission , they may carry other items like ropes , climbing gear , grenades , rocket launchers , laser target designators and night vision equipment . Some of the equipment for the special forces are manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board , Ministry of Defence , Government of India while other items are obtained from foreign suppliers . Currently , the Indian Army is upgrading the equipment of these units by procuring lighter body armour , personal communication sets , anti - materiel rifle s and various other mission specific equipment . A deal worth $ 5 . 75 million was signed with M / S B & T Switzerland for the acquisition of 1 , 568 advanced sub - machine guns for the Ghatak platoons of infantry battalions . Additionally , door breaching ammunition and non - lethal systems like stun grenades and ballistic shields are being procured for counter - insurgency operations . Honours . Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav of 18 Grenadiers was a part of the Ghatak Commando platoon during the action on Tiger Hill in the Kargil War , for which he was awarded India ' s highest gallantry award the Param Vir Chakra . Lt . Navdeep Singh of 15 Maratha Light Infantry regiment was the Ghatak platoon commander during an operation to ambush 17 well - trained and armed terrorists who had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir state , for which he was awarded India ' s highest peacetime gallantry award the Ashoka Chakra .