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Always duck the police!

Always duck the police!

Any police van in Hyderabad reads 'We are here for you'. I find it hard to trust because my grandfather was a head police constable. He served under both British and Indian rule, and after analysing his life I've lost faith in Interpol too. The little time I saw him in uniform, he only cared about his papaya tree, his doves, and his cattle. He was more an Ace Ventura–type cop, minus the empathy or the jokes.
Here are more stories as anecdotal proof…
First bribe ever
It was my first bike in college, a brand new ride with a temporary number plate. A traffic cop stopped me and asked for my papers. I showed them, told my story, even offered the sweets I'd bought to celebrate but he wouldn't let me go without a bribe. With no cash on me, I opened my wallet to prove it. Inside was a half-torn ₹20 note, a 'pyar ki nishani' from a girl. I'd promised to exchange it later but kept it as a souvenir — classic 2009 move. The cop pocketed that note and then demanded I find the other half. I told him I'd lost it. He made me search every pocket in my wallet and bag before finally taking that half-note and with it, my only interaction with that girl.
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'Mighty Daggers': All About 4 Para, India's Most Fearless Strike Force That Executed Op Mahadev
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News18

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'Mighty Daggers': All About 4 Para, India's Most Fearless Strike Force That Executed Op Mahadev

Last Updated: 4 Para is part of the Parachute Regiment (Para SF) and has been deployed in Kashmir on multiple high‑stakes missions, such as the 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC. Operation Mahadev, that tracked down and eliminated three Pahalgam attackers was carried out by Indian Army's 4 Para (Special Forces) officers, defence sources have said. 'This operation was done by 4 Para (SF) officers. One officer and his buddy identified them, after which they were shot immediately," sources said. What Is 4 Para (SP)? The 4 Para SP is one of the Indian Army's elite Special Forces regiments. It specialises in counter-terrorism, surgical strikes, high-risk mountain and jungle operations. It is part of the Parachute Regiment (Para SF), nicknamed the 'Red Devils' and has been deployed in Kashmir on multiple high‑stakes missions, such as the 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC. The nickname 'Red Devils' comes from their distinctive maroon berets (symbolising airborne forces) and their fierce reputation in combat. It is considered among the most lethal units in South Asia. Its operatives are handpicked, undergo one of the world's toughest probation regimens, and are trained for rapid deployment, deep infiltration, and surgical precision. 'Red Devils' is also historically associated with elite airborne units worldwide, including Britain's paratroopers — and the Indian 4 Para SF adopted it as a badge of honour due to similar elite status and operational ethos. The 4 Para (SF) is often called 'Mighty Daggers', an unofficial nickname or call sign associated with 4 Para (Special Forces). 'Mighty Daggers' is often used within the regiment or in internal callsigns, social media tributes, or veterans' references to highlight their combat aggressiveness and sharp-strike capability. The term symbolises their razor-sharp operational precision – 'striking fast and deep like a dagger." What Operations Have 4 Para (SP) Carried Out? 4 Para is considered one of the most battle-hardened special forces units in India. From the 2016 surgical strikes to Operation Mahadev, 'Mighty Daggers" have carried out some of the most crucial anti-terror operations. Here's a look at some of these: Surgical Strikes (2016) Following the Uri terror attack, 4 Para led the cross-border surgical strike targeting terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Inserted at night, the commandos neutralised multiple targets and returned without casualties. Their role demonstrated India's new proactive doctrine against terrorism. Kupwara Snow Encounter (April 2020) In a rare and dangerous high-altitude mission, 4 Para commandos were heli-dropped into a snow-covered forest in Kupwara to intercept infiltrators. Despite one commando falling into a crevasse during landing, the team engaged five heavily armed terrorists in close-quarters combat, eliminating all of them. The operation showcased 4 Para's resilience in extreme conditions. Operation Mahadev (July 2025) Most recently, 4 Para played a central role in Operation Mahadev, targeting terrorists hiding in the Harwan forest near Dachigam National Park. The unit swiftly cordoned off the area and engaged in a fierce gunbattle, killing three terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam massacre. The precision strike in dense terrain underlined 4 Para's counter-terror excellence. How 4 Para Came Into Being The 4th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment traces its roots to World War II, originally raised as part of the British Indian Army in 1941. Initially trained as a conventional airborne infantry unit, the battalion participated in key operations during the Burma campaign. In the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan, 4 Para served as a para-infantry unit. Post-war experiences revealed a need for a specialized unconventional warfare force. In the 1980s, select battalions like 1, 9, and 10 Para began developing commando capabilities, focusing on counter-insurgency, hostage rescue, and deep-penetration raids. In 2001, after Parliament attack and amid rising terror threats, 4 Para was formally converted into a full-fledged Special Forces (SF) unit. This marked its transition from parachute infantry to a Tier 1 special operations force. 4 Para underwent advanced training in Himachal Pradesh, Belgaum, and Nahan, including HALO jumps, jungle warfare, mountain ops, and urban CQB (close quarters battle). The battalion has since operated in Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast, and across the Line of Control, often under deep cover. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Indian-Origin Delta Pilot Arrested From Cockpit On Child Sex Abuse Charges
Indian-Origin Delta Pilot Arrested From Cockpit On Child Sex Abuse Charges

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Indian-Origin Delta Pilot Arrested From Cockpit On Child Sex Abuse Charges

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Day after Operation Mahadev, security forces launch massive search for three armed men
Day after Operation Mahadev, security forces launch massive search for three armed men

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

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Day after Operation Mahadev, security forces launch massive search for three armed men

A massive search operation has been launched by security forces in the Hiranagar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua after a woman reportedly saw three armed men on Monday night. Security personnel during a cordon and search operation, near Dachigam in Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, July 28, 2025.(PTI) The security forces are searching areas which are known for being used by infiltrators. The development comes a day after Indian forces killed three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack in an encounter near the Dachigam National Park in Srinagar. Srinagar senior superintendent of police GV Sundeep Chakravarty confirmed that the three terrorists were Pakistani nationals, belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and were killed in the Harwan area as part of Operation Mahadev on Monday afternoon. In Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that one of the masterminds of the Pahalgam terror attack, Suleiman Shah, was among those killed in the gunfight. A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will examine the bodies of the three terrorists killed, as well as the electronic devices and weapons recovered from them. More on Operation Mahadev Operation Mahadev was launched on Monday following intelligence and technical surveillance pointing to terrorist movement in the region. The encounter began around 11am when a joint team of the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para unit detected terrorist activity in the Mulnar area of Harwan. Acting swiftly, the forces engaged the terrorists in an intense firefight, resulting in the deaths of three heavily armed terrorists. Also Read | What is Operation Mahadev? Pahalgam attack mastermind killed in key encounter It came on a day Parliament started debating Operation Sindoor, which was launched as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation was named after the 13,000-ft Mahadev mountain, the highest peak in the Zabarwan range, which is located near the Dachigam National Park and is known for its natural beauty and trekking trails.

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