Editing Assam Rifles (section)

=== Postwar period ===
Following the end of the war the five Assam Rifles battalions became part of the civil police under the Assam Inspector General of Police.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} After independence, however, the Indian government assigned the Assam Rifles its own Director General, who is sent on tenure based postings from the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=History /> As the numbers of the force and the number of battalions gradually increased, the rank of the force commander was upgraded to Director General, which is occupied by a [[lieutenant general]] ranking officer in the Indian Army. The present Director General of the Assam Rifles is Vikas Lakhera
.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan takes over as DG of Assam Rifles |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/lt-gen-sukhdeep-sangwan-takes-dg-assam-rifles.html |website=NORTHEAST NOW|date=14 May 2018 }}</ref>

Prior to 1965, this force was under the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], who were looking after NEFA affairs. Later, it was transferred to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], with Indian Army retaining operational control. From a nominal complement of only five battalions in 1947, it has grown to 46 with several range HQs. 3 training center, and a number of logistics units function under the HQ DGAR, Shillong.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.assamrifles.gov.in/english/newwindow.html?2030 |title=Organisation Structure |website=assamrifles.gov.in |publisher=Assam Rifles |access-date=6 January 2022 |quote=Assam Rifles is a region specific force with its operational role in the North East and therefore the HQ DGAR is also located in the East. The HQs of all other Central Para Military Forces are located at Delhi.}}</ref> The Assam Rifles Public School is a much sought after education institute in the North East.

The role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve when in 1950 a devastating earthquake hit the Assam region and the force was called in to assist in the reconstruction of the areas and help in the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by it.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} Later the force was once again called to undertake a combat role when, during the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] elements were used to delay the advancing Chinese forces so that the Indian Army could establish its defence lines.<ref name=History /> During this time and since then, the Assam Rifles also maintained their peacekeeping role in the northern areas of India in the face of growing tribal unrest and insurgency. In this environment the maintenance of law and order, countering insurgency and reassuring the people of the region became important tasks for the security forces and initially they fell to the Assam Rifles before the Army assumed control, and then later their experience and goodwill in the region was drawn upon in order to assist the army in conducting these tasks.<ref name=History /> In recognition of the unit's skill in counterinsurgency operations, three battalions were deployed on [[Operation Pawan]] in Sri Lanka between December 1988 and February 1990.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}}

Through its deployment in what has become known as the "[[tribal belt (India)|tribal belt]]", the Assam Rifles have developed an ethos that is based primarily upon the notion of extending the hand of friendship with the people of the region despite the troubles that have occurred there.<ref name=History /> This has resulted in their employment in a number of developmental activities in the region as they have worked to bring order and security to it. As such, their role has been further expanded to include the provision of medical assistance and basic education, assisting in reconstruction and agriculture and handling communications in remote areas.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

From a force of 5 battalions in 1947, the Assam Rifles has grown substantially over the years. In 1960 there were 17 battalions, in 1968 there were 21 and today there are 46 battalions.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} In addition, the force has several area HQs, a training centre that processes up to 1,800 recruits at time, and a number of logistics units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm |title=Assam Rifles Training Centre |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309031319/http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm |archive-date=9 March 2009}}</ref>