AFSOD
Maj Gen MS Bains, SC, YSM, SM, GOC, AFSOD
Maj Gen MS Bains, SC, YSM, SM assumed the appt of GOC, AFSOD on 01 Dec 2023.
An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, the Gen Offr was commissioned into 9 PARA (SF) on 09 Jun 1990. He has attended all the prestigious courses incl Defence Services Staff College, Higher Defence Management Course and National Defence College, New Delhi. The Gen Offr has also attended International Anti-Terrorism Capsule in USA.
In the illustrious career spanning over 34 yrs, the Gen Offr has tenanted numerous Command and Staff appts covering a wide spectrum of ops and trn. He has commanded his parent unit in active CI Ops in J&K (OP RAKSHAK) and an Assam Rifles Sector in intense CI Ops in OP RHINO. His varied staff appts incl GSO-1 in MO Dte, Director in MI Dte, Col GS (Ops) of Pivot Corps, Col GS (Ops/ Air) of a Comd in Western Theatre and BGS (Ops) of a Corps dply in active ops along the LC. The Gen Offr has tenanted the appt of COS, HQ 12 Corps and GOC of 2 Mtn Div before taking over the reins of AFSOD.
For his courage and dedication to duty, the Gen Offr has been decorated with Shaurya Chakra, Yudh Seva Medal & Sena Medal. He also has the unique distinction of service in United Nations Peace Keeping Mission twice, in Ethiopia and Congo.
Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD)
AFSOD is an integrated Tri-Service division of the Indian Armed Forces. The division is tasked to carry out Special Operations. The AFSOD draws personnel from all three special warfare branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
Origins The Naresh Chandra Task Force was set up in July 2011 by National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon to review the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, assess the implementation progress and further suggest new reforms related to national security. The Committee submitted its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 23 May 2012. Among its recommendations, the Task Force recommended the creation of a Special Operations Command, as a Tri-Service command in order to bring the various special forces units of the military under a unified command and control structure.
Mandate
-
-
Lead Tri-Services organisation in the Armed Forces to centrally plan, train and jointly execute ops by Special Forces.
-
Provide enhanced special operations capability to augment overall war efforts to attain strategic objectives.
-
The AFSOD functions under the HQs Integrated Defence Staff. Units from all the three Special Forces of the Indian Armed Forces are placed under command this division. The division is fully operational since November 2019. The AFSOD is commanded by a two star General Officer from Army. Presently, Maj Gen M S Bains, SC, YSM, SM is the GOC.
