Explained: What is unarmed or hand-to-hand combat for armed forces?

India-China border dispute: The Indian Army is an armed force and its primary emphasis is on training its personnel in the use of weapons.

India China border dispute, Galwan Faceoff, Indian Army combat, hand-to-hand combat, unarmed combat, indian express

Cadets during an attestation parade in Leh, Saturday, June 13, 2020. (PTI Photo)

Ever since the standoff between the Indian and Chinese forces at Galwan on the intervening night of June 15 and 16, television channels have been rife with the term ‘hand-to-hand combat’ or “gutham-gutha” as commentators described the violent skirmishes between the two forces. The Indian Express explains what it means for the Indian armed forces.

The Indian army is an armed force and therefore its primary emphasis is on training its men and women in the use of weapons. Though soldiers are taught unarmed combat as part of various courses, the stress is on weapons training. Besides rifles, carbines and pistols issued to every soldier and officer, an infantry battalion has numerous crew-served weapons like an MMG (medium machine gun), AGL(automatic grenade launcher), missile launchers, rocket launchers, 51mm mortars, 81mm mortars, MGL(multi grenade launcher) etc.

Every soldier and officer is also issued a bayonet along with an assault rifle. He is trained to use the bayonet especially in a close combat situation or during an assault on enemy defences once he comes into close proximity with the enemy.

A rifle, a carbine or a sidearm are issued to soldiers in all units of the army, be it an artillery regiment (which uses long range artillery guns like 105mm field guns, 155mm gun howitzers etc), Armoured regiment (which has tanks ), Mechanised Infantry regiment (which has Infantry combat vehicles), Engineer/Signal/Army Air Defence regiments or the logistics units like the Army Service Corps/Army Ordnance Corps/Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps etc.

With increasing modernisation, training for a hand-to-hand combat is given much lower priority as the focus of the armed forces is on using arms as a primary mode of combat. Entire units are formed around these weapon systems.

The Ghatak platoons of Infantry battalions (trained for special missions) do emphasise on unarmed combat apart from training in other military skills. Unarmed combat(UAC) also forms a part of army courses like the Ghatak(Commando) course, Counter insurgency and jungle warfare course.

Special Forces (SF), however, lay a lot of emphasis on unarmed combat and train their soldiers in martial arts and other techniques of neutralising an opponent.

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As a routine, all units and formations regularly have boxing and wrestling competitions beginning from inter-platoon, inter-company, inter-battalion and at formation level.

While Central Armed Police Forces are trained in baton charging and use of tear gas equipment for crowd control, when the army is called in, it uses only weapons. Use of battons and sticks does not form part of the armed forces training. Armed forces are the nation’s last bastion of defence and that’s why all nations do their best to equip their armies with the best possible weapon systems to counter their enemies.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More