Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir — The Jammu & Kashmir Police has officially launched a new elite high-altitude combat unit named Snow Leopard, specially trained for anti-terror operations in extreme mountainous terrain. The unit made its operational debut this week at the ongoing Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, where it is deployed at elevations of nearly 14,000 feet above sea level.
Purpose and Strategic Importance of Snow Leopard Squad
The Snow Leopard squad has been created to strengthen border security and respond to terror threats in snow-bound and high-altitude regions of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials say the unit fills a vital capability gap in mountain warfare and adds a specialised force ready to tackle threats in areas that are difficult to access due to cold, snow, and low oxygen levels.
Training and Capability Building
Personnel in the Snow Leopard squad are primarily drawn from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu & Kashmir Police — a tactical anti-terror unit with decades of experience operating in challenging environments. The squad underwent over six months of specialised training, including winter warfare, snow navigation, survival at extreme heights, and disaster response skills such as managing avalanches and landslides.
Officials state that this training enables the unit to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20°C, handle low oxygen conditions, and maintain high operational readiness for counter-terror duties in mountainous and snow-covered zones.
First Deployment of Snow Leopard Squad at Khelo India Winter Games
The squad’s first public deployment is at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Gulmarg, a major sporting event that draws athletes, officials, and visitors from across the country. Positioned at strategic points near game venues, the Snow Leopard unit supports overall security arrangements in the region’s high-altitude environment.
Future Role and Mobility
With more than 100 trained personnel, the Snow Leopard squad can be deployed anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir where high-altitude anti-terror operations or security coverage are needed. This includes sensitive border sectors, rugged terrains, and areas prone to natural disasters such as snow slides and extreme weather emergencies.
