The 203rd Separate Spetsnaz Battalion, also referred to as the 203rd SpN (Special Purpose Battalion) or 203rd Special Reconnaissance Battalion, (Persian: کندک ۲۰۳ اسپتسناز جداگانه) was an Afghan spetsnaz unit subordinated to KhAD-e Nezami, the Afghan Army's military intelligence wing.[1]
| 203rd Separate Spetsnaz Battalion | |
|---|---|
| کندک ۲۰۳ اسپتسناز جداگانه | |
 The emblem for KhAD-e Nezami | |
| Active | 1981–1992 |
| Disbanded | 1992 |
| Country |  Afghanistan |
| Branch | KhAD-e Nezami |
| Type | Special forces, spetsnaz, airborne infantry |
| Role | Special operations Direct action Air assault Special reconnaissance Counterinsurgency |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | |
| Garrison/HQ | Kabul |
| Nickname(s) | Special Recon, SpN |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Mohammad Najibullah Ghulam Faruq Yaqubi |
History
editIn 1980, under President Babrak Karmal and the Parcham faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defense drafted plans to form three Spetsnaz battalions for each of the Afghan Army corps. A year later, in 1981, the 203rd Separate Spetsnaz Battalion was formed (alongside the 212th, 230th and 211th) under the 1st Central Army Corps in Kabul and subordinated to KhAD-e Nezami (military intelligence). The 203rd SpN reportedly worked alongside the Spetsnaz GRU and the Soviet Border Troops, as well as with the Soviet Airborne Forces.[2][1]
According to Soviet advisors to KhAD-e Nezami's Spetsnaz battalions, the Pakistani Special Service Group did not want to capture SpN operators alive, testifying to their effectiveness.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b Urban, Mark (1990). War in Afghanistan. Springer. ISBN 978-1-349-20761-9.[page needed]
- ^ «Пожарная команда» Кабула. Warspot. 2022-04-15. Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ Country of Origin Information Report: Afghanistan (PDF). UK Border Agency. 29 August 2008 – via State Watch.
- ^ "Building Afghanistan's Security Forces in Wartime: The Soviet Experience" (PDF). RAND Corporation. 2011.
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