Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan
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| Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan | |
| Country | Bhutan |
| Type | Royal Guard |
| Part of |  Royal Bhutan Army |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General Pem Dorji |
| Notable commanders | Major General Dhendup Tshering, Brigadier Thinley Tobgyel |
The Royal Bodyguard (RBG) of Bhutan is the royal guard a part of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), which specializes in anti-irregular military, clandestine and covert operations, commando style raids, countering sudden attacks, counterintelligence to prevent assassination of royal family members or royal palace sabotage, counterterrorism and hostage rescue missions, irregular warfare, mountain warfare, special operations, and protection of important or high-ranking personnel.[1][2]
It is independently under the personal command of the King of Bhutan (as of 2023, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck). It is in charge of the security of the king and other members of the royal family. The strength of the force is more than one thousand soldiers, and it is the most elite unit of the armed forces of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The commandant is Brigadier Pem Dorji.
The soldiers are well trained and well equipped with the latest armaments and training in all fields such as air assault, anti-irregular military, close protection, commando style raids, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, defusing and disposal of bombs, fast tactical shooting, gathering field intelligence, hostage rescue, hand-to-hand combat, HUMINT, irregular warfare, marksmanship, mountain warfare, reconnaissance, SERE, tactical driving, tactical emergency medical service, and etc. Under the personal command of the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan allegedly saw action in 2003 during brief clashes with militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom camped in Bhutan. The guards suffered few casualties and would participate in a campaign to expel ULFA and other Assamese separatist groups from the South of Bhutan in late 2003.[citation needed]
Former commandant
[edit]Major General Dhendup Tshering was commissioned on 12 June 1971 from the Indian Military Academy. Prior to joining the Royal Bodyguard in 1973, he served in the Northern Borders.
As a lieutenant colonel, he assumed the command of the Royal Bodyguard in 1988. In his 44 years of command, the general played a vital role in managing the anti-national crisis in 1990 and 2003 operations against the irregular military. The general is a recipient of Drakpoi Thugsey and Drakpoi Wangyel for his service to the Tsa-Wa-Sum[clarification needed].
References
[edit]- ^ Singh, Colonel Harjeet (2008-01-01). South Asia Defence And Strategic Year Book. Pentagon Press. p. 166. ISBN 9788182743205.
- ^ Agency, Central Intelligence (2007-08-01). The World Factbook 2007. Government Printing Office. p. 72. ISBN 9780160785801.