#Thread || Breaking Down an Indian Army Infantry Section: Assault, Support & Fire and Manoeuvre (1/14)

Note: Take all the info with a pinch of salt, as not a single authentic research paper /written material is available on the internet & what's available heavily contradicts itself. Nor did I ask anyone for this info. Everything you're about to read is my own observations

Ideally A section has 10 soldiers who are divided into 2 functional groups: An Assault Group and a Support Group >Support Gp: provides sustained suppressive fire to fix the enemy >Assault Gp: manoeuvres under that fire, close in & clear Both gps controlled by section cmdr.

This separation of assault and support enables effective fire and maneuver tactics , a tactic as old as the War itself.

Let's talk about the assault elements first Their aim is to manoeuvre under cover fire of support elements, close-in with the enemy, and clear the objective at close ranges (0–300 m). Ideally have 5 soldiers, each equipped with AK-203, These 5 are :

1. RF-1 POINT MAN Rank: Sepoy / Lance Naik 1st in squad Leads movement, first to spot and establish contact with enemy, Sets pace and direction 2. RF-2 BUDDY / COVER MAN Rank: Sepoy Covers RF-1, Engages threats RF-1 misses, Provides flank and ambush security Weapon: AK-203i

3. RF-3 UBGL GRENADIER Rank: Sepoy / Lance Naik Weapon: Ak203 w/ UBGL Fires 40 mm grenades while assault is moving to Breaks short-range resistance without relying on support. Clears trenches, corner etc

4. RF-4 REAR Rank: Sep Rear and flank security as Assault can be cut off from behind, Carries extra ammo, Reinforces weak points & Replaces casualties 5. Section commander Rank: Hav Commands the entire fight i.e where assault moves, where support fires Weapon: Ak-203

Support element It's primary role is NOT to kill but to enable manoeuvre for assault elements using suppressive fire. Support Forces the enemy to: keep head down, stay in cover, lose observation, lose ability to aim Hence enable assault to close in It also has 5 soldiers:

1. LMG-1 GUNNER Rank: Sep/ L Naik Weapon: Negev 7 Provide Sustained suppressive fire Pins enemy heads down and the one who Dominates engagement area 2. LMG-2 ASSISTANT Rank: Sep Weapon: AK-203 Feeds ammo, Changes barrels & Protects LMG from flanks & while reloading

3. HEAVY SLOT GUNNER Rank: Sepoy Weapon: CG mk 3/4 or MGL Carl Gustaf: destroys bunkers, walls, Armour & anti Infantry using air brust & HE rounds MGL: area suppression, trench and defilade clearance Weapons depend upon the availability and situation

4. heavy weapon assistant Rank: Sep Weapon: AK-203 CG / MGL ammo is heavy and bulky Assistant carries extra rounds, provide security during Reloading (and backblast checks for CG). Most casualties to heavy gunners happen during reload, not firing.

Finally 2IC Rank: L Naik Weapon: AK-203 Deployed with support & controls rates of fire, shifts / lifts fire on command, maintains fire discipline. Also ready to take over if the commander is hit All of them make 10 men squads

OVERWATCH (DMR/sniper) Rank: Sep Weapon: SVD Dragunov/ TRG 42 They are not a part of attack or support group. Provide Overwatch by placing them on an elevated position behind support elements to kill Enemy LMG gunners, leaders, observers & Anyone exposing themselves to command

This thread defines the structure in an ideal world however In practice, the section commander will adapt this organisation dynamically based on casualties, terrain, visibility, and enemy reaction. You may find a section with 6 or 12 soldiers based on the situation

@Elite Predators , @Yew's Finest, @𝐊𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐒, @ghatak @Jaidev Jamwal, @VatsRohit Sir ji do correct if I got anything wrong, love to hear all your opinions