Special Frontier Force (SFF)

Why in news?

• There have been reports about Special Frontier Force (SFF)  was involved in the recent Army operation to occupy Chushul sector in eastern Ladakh.

About SFF:

• The Special Frontier Force (SFF) is a special force of India created in 1962.
• The covert outfit recruited Tibetan exiles (now it has a mixture of Tibetans and Gorkhas) and was initially named Establishment 22.
• They are special forces personnel highly trained for a variety of tasks.
• Its main goal originally was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in the event of another Sino-Indian War.
• It is under the supervision of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
• The units comprising the SFF are known as Vikas battalions.
• SFF units are not part of the Army but function under its operational control. SSF units have their own rank structures, of equivalent status with Army ranks.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Special frontier Force:
1.It was created in the after-math of 1962 Sino-Indian war.
2.It works under operational control of Indian army.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2 
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question