The Maroon Berets: Uncovering the history of Pakistan's elite special forces

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From 1950s training under British officers to covert operations in high-altitude glaciers, the Special Service Group has operated in the shadows. Known colloquially as the 'Maroon Berets,' this elite unit has transitioned from a simple infantry regiment into a sophisticated special operations command.

The origins of the Special Service Group (SSG) are deeply intertwined with international military cooperation. In the early 1950s, the Pakistan Army established the Close Quarter Battle School in Quetta under British Colonel Grant Taylor. By 1953–54, the United States Army began raising special forces units within the Pakistan Army to counter Soviet influence in Central Asia. This process saw the 19th Baloch infantry transformed into a special forces unit under the training of U.S. Lt Col Donald W. Bunte. The SSG was officially established as a battalion on 23 March 1956, under Lieutenant-Colonel A. O. Mitha.

The unit's operational history is marked by both significant challenges and high-stakes missions. During the 1965 war with India, an airborne mission targeting airbases like Pathankot resulted in a major setback; of the 180 commandos dropped, 138 were captured, while 22 were killed by villagers and local forces. Conversely, during the 1970–71 conflict, the 1st and 2nd Commando Battalions were noted for successful sabotage missions against Indian Army artillery and infantry. In later decades, the SSG has been involved in high-altitude warfare in the Siachen Glacier and covert actions in Afghanistan during the Soviet intervention.

Today, the SSG serves as the Special Operations Command of the Pakistan Armed Forces, tasked with missions ranging from counter-terrorism and hostage rescue to unconventional warfare and reconnaissance. While much of their work remains shrouded in secrecy, the unit's influence extends into the intelligence community, with many personnel retiring directly into the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) counter-terrorism division.

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