Krav Maga [UPSC Notes]

In order to counter the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China during patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) the Indian security forces are being trained in Israel’s Krav Maga. What is Krav Maga? How effective is it in helping the Indian security forces combat threats? We cover all these points in this article. This article is important for the IAS exam security & defence as well as current affairs segments.

What is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is an advanced version of mixed martial art which involves unarmed combat and can be utilised in places where the security forces cannot carry weapons or open fire.

• Krav Maga is considered to be a lethal fighting system developed by combining various martial arts and philosophies.
• It was developed to teach the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and later taught to civilians.
• Earlier in 2005-06, the Special Protection Group was the first force to be trained in Krav Maga. Since SPG protects the Prime Minister, the need was felt to train in order to act in situations where forces cannot open fire.  

Training in Krav Maga for Indian Security Forces

ITBP Training Centre Academy in Panchkula is training the first batch of 50 instructors.

• The first batch of 50 instructors will then go to the field and give training to ITBP Commandos in unarmed combat.
• The Indian Army is also training its personnel deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), besides ITBP.
• Earlier the face-off was limited to waving of flags and claiming un-demarcated territory as their own territory, but in recent times the People’s Liberation Army has become aggressive and has been continuously amassing troops along the border.
• Indian Army and the ITBP who regularly patrol the LAC witness frequent faceoffs with the People’s Liberation Army.
• China is illegally occupying 38000 square kilometres of area in Ladakh and has laid claim to 90000 square kilometres of area in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The un-demarcated nature of the border is one of the important causes of frequent tension between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army.
• However, the frequent tensions are managed by the 1993 and 1996 protocols and peace agreements.

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