Influenced by the German use of paratroopers early in World War Two, General Sir Robert Cassels, the Commander-in-Chief India, ordered the formation of an airborne cadre in October 1940. Thus marked the origins of India's first élite units. Pakistan can trace the origins of its own army airborne to the common parentage of British-raised forces. Following the partition from India in August 1947, it raised its own Special Service Group, with individually specialised companies including desert, mountain, ranger and underwater warfare units. This remarkable volume by Kenneth Conboy details the history, organisation, uniforms and insignia of the élite forces of India and Pakistan. Also covered are the elite forces of Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Due to popular demand, strictly limited quantities of Osprey's most wanted out of print Men-at-Arms, Vanguard and Elite titles are back in stock. Many of these books have been out of print for 5 years or more, so don't miss this one-off opportunity to buy them hot-off-the-press at regular series prices while stocks last. Orders will be processed on a strictly first come, first served basis so hurry! Order your books today.

Ken Conboy was educated as an undergraduate at Georgetown University and took his graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University. He also studied at Sophia University in Tokyo. He is the Deputy Director of the Asian Studies Centre, a Washington based think tank, which studies US strategic and economic policy towards South-East Asia, and he has travelled extensively in that region. Ken has written widely on the military forces of South-East Asia including two titles in the Men-at-Arms series on the wars in Laos and Cambodia, and Elite 33, South-East Asian Special Forces.

India: Army Airborne
The 1965 War
The 1971 War
Pakistan: Army Airborne
Pakistani Special Forces Since 1971
Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Bangladesh
The Plates