Introduction
Every November 14th, India celebrates Children’s Day, marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a day dedicated to the country’s youngest generation. However, this date has another significant meaning that the general public is mostly unaware of. On this same day in 1962, in the shadows of a recently fought border conflict, Nehru established a special unit whose name remains little known even today: the Special Frontier Force (SFF).
Nicknamed the “Snow Warriors” the SFF is a covert unit drawn from Tibetans and Gurkhas, selected and trained to operate in high-altitude warfare. Back then it was known as ‘Establishment 22’ in official circles and ‘tutu fauj’ among its Tibetan soldiers. Created during the Sino-Indian War, the SFF was envisioned as an elite force capable of conducting unconventional and covert missions along India’s mountainous northern borders. Today, the Special Frontier Force remains an “open secret,” known to a few and spoken of even less. It stands as a unique symbol of bravery and resilience—a force that operates without fanfare, silently safeguarding India’s interests.
As we honour this remarkable unit, it is evident that November 14th should be commemorated not only for Nehru’s legacy but also for the establishment of a force that has long been awaiting a chance to implement its original mandate and objectives and has embodied a silent but unwavering commitment to India as well as Tibet.
The Birth of an Elite Force
In 1962, the Sino-Indian War, exposed India’s vulnerabilities along the Himalayan frontier. The government looked for a solution that went beyond traditional military formations after realising the need for a specialised unit skilled in guerilla and high-altitude warfare. It was against this backdrop that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, with inputs from the Intelligence Bureau Director BN Mullick and Major General Sujan Singh Uban, initiated the formation of a highly skilled unit dedicated to defending India’s borders in extreme and rugged conditions.
The SFF was unique from the outset. Unlike any other force, it drew its recruits from Tibetan refugees who had fled Chinese occupation and settled in India. Many of these Tibetans harbour a deep sense of loss and an unyielding hope to one day see their homeland free again, making them highly motivated soldiers for a cause that aligned closely with India’s strategic objectives. This distinctive composition gave the SFF a dual identity: as India’s covert frontline against Chinese aggression, and as a symbol of resistance for Tibetans.
The decision to train and equip the SFF was a strategic move, partly facilitated by the USA. Modelled on principles of special operations and guerrilla tactics, the force was trained intensively by the Indian Army. In later years, it was also supported by the CIA for upskilling, equipping and training in covert operations. The SFF’s structure allowed it a level of autonomy while still being directly accountable to India’s intelligence and military command. The founding of the SFF marked the beginning of a new approach in India’s defence strategy—a recognition that traditional warfare was not enough to counter complex geopolitical challenges. Instead, India needed a nimble, elite force capable of responding to threats in high-altitude regions, one that could provide a quiet but effective layer of protection along the border. Thus, the Special Frontier Force was born on November 14, 1962, carrying with it the dreams of an independent Tibet and the resolve of a nation determined to protect its sovereignty.
At its core, the SFF comprises six Vikas battalions which have a mix of ethnic Tibetans, Indian Gurkhas, and Nepalese Gurkhas. The force has a decent presence of female soldiers who have been employed in defensive as well as offensive roles. The SFF also challenges the typical stereotype of the ‘macho’ commando archetype—characterized by a trigger-happy, larger-than-life persona. In contrast, many Tibetan operatives within the SFF possess a medium build, lean physique, and a humble demeanour. Their appearance, far from resembling that of a conventional commando, makes it difficult to recognise them on the street. Many are second-generation refugees, bound by a deep-rooted sense of loyalty both to India, their place of refuge, and to the hope of one day seeing a free Tibet. Their mountain heritage and firsthand familiarity with the rugged terrain of the Himalayas make them ideal for missions in some of the most challenging landscapes on earth. This diversity is its greatest strengths, blending cultural backgrounds and specialised skills to create a force adept at high-altitude warfare and unconventional operations.
The highest officer in the SFF is the Inspector General (IG), a position held by a Major General rank officer of the Indian Army. The ‘Vikas’ battalions are commanded by Colonel rank officers, while Majors and Captains command the companies. Many who command SFF battalions come from the Gurkha Regiment. Indian Army officers from other branches like Artillery, Signals, Armoured Corps etc. join the SFF on deputation from their parent units. While the troops speak Tibetan and a decent amount of Hindi, the Army officers are not known to have been fully proficient in Tibetan. SFF is equipped with the latest arms and ammunitions as per their tasking; though area weapons are not provided. Each SFF operative goes through a stringent probation period followed by basic and advanced training phases. Previously, the SFF personnel had less pay packages than the regular soldiers of Indian Army; pay was regularised in 2009. In its operations, the SFF enjoys a high degree of autonomy and flexibility, crucial for its role in covert and special missions. As a result, the SFF has often been deployed for missions that are critical yet remain hidden from public view, embodying a balance of discretion and discipline that defines its ethos.
The Legacy of Covert Operations
The SFF first saw significant action during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. The success of this operation not only validated the SFF’s capabilities but also highlighted the importance of covert forces in modern warfare, capable of executing missions that conventional units would find difficult. Over the years, the SFF’s responsibilities have spanned from reconnaissance missions along the sensitive borders with Tibet and Pakistan to counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast. During the Kargil conflict in 1999, for instance, SFF operatives were instrumental in rescuing stranded soldiers and recovering casualties from treacherous, high-altitude locations. More recently, in 2020, members of the SFF were instrumental in securing crucial locations in the Galwan Valley clashes with Chinese PLA.
For the Tibetan community in exile, the SFF embodies an enduring hope for a future free from foreign occupation. Many Tibetans who joined the SFF did so not only to serve India, the country that welcomed them, but also with the quiet dream of one day contributing to the liberation of their homeland.
Despite its visibility among certain circles in Indian defence and intelligence, the SFF remains an enigma to the general public. Even within the Tibetan community, there is an unspoken code of silence. SFF veterans refrain from discussing their involvement, owing to the pledge of secrecy and honour that they are administered before joining the units. The Dalai Lama himself has never publicly spoken about the SFF. But actions speak louder than words. His elder brother, the late Gyalo Thondup la had served in the force, which lent a subtle yet powerful endorsement, reinforcing the idea of the force as an indirect yet profound expression of Tibetan resilience. His Holiness himself has blessed the SFF troops (on their demand). On many occasions the SFF personnel have sent gifts and artefacts to the Dalai Lama as a mark of respect and gratitude towards him. Many SFF veterans also served as a part of the Dalai Lama’s security in the 80s and 90s alongside the Himachal Pradesh police which eventually took over the complete security detail of the Dalai Lama.
The SFF’s role as both a strategic force and a symbol of Tibetan resilience ensures that its impact will be felt for generations to come. Currently what is needed is to revive the original mandate and tasking of the SFF – strategic actions vis-a-vis China. The mistakes that India did with its PARA SF units by diverting their focus from strategic tasks to counter-terrorism and tactical ops should not be repeated with the SFF. SFF was established for covert actions behind enemy lines and not for killing militants or guarding borders. Hence in the current context of the Dalai Lama growing older, China trying to push its own Panchen Lama as his successor and the aggressive border infrastructure that it is building, the SFF operating under the direct command of the R&AW chief becomes all the more important. Apart from direct military actions, there are other covert tasks for which the force is best suited. Time is ripe once again for India and the USA to collaborate on the SFF as well as the larger Tibetan issue as had happened in the last century. But to insulate the force from any prospective geopolitical events, the larger role here will have to be played by India.
Conclusion
The SFF stands as one of India’s most remarkable yet underappreciated military units. Born out of a complex geopolitical landscape, its roots in Tibetan history and its ongoing service to India have made it a silent guardian of not only India’s strategic interests but also the hopes and dreams of the Tibetan people. But beyond its achievements, the SFF carries a strategic and symbolic weight. Whether or not Tibet gains independence, the SFF will remain an important asset for both India’s defence strategy and the preservation of Tibetan heritage.
What is now needed is to have a well-planned grand strategy regarding China and to task the Special Frontier Force towards achieving specific objectives of that strategy which will ensure that India has multiple leverages when it comes to dealing with China. To do so would not only honour the legacy of this force that safeguards India’s ‘special frontier,’ but also reaffirm India’s strategic resolve in countering China’s growing aggression.
Author bio:
Rahul Wankhede is a PhD candidate at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His areas of interest are defence modernisation, defence diplomacy, and military history.
A longer version of this story appeared in the author’s blog in November 2024 at : https://rahulwankhedefence.blogspot.com/2024/11/snow-lions-on-frontlines-honouring.html
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