Pathfinder Company (Malaysia)

The Pathfinder Company (Parachute) (, ) is a pathfinder and reconnaissance unit within Malaysian Army's 10th Parachute Brigade (10 PARA).
The company is a small team that specially trained to do special operations missions for the brigade. They enjoy good relations with other Malaysian Armed Forces' elite forces such as Malaysian Army 21st "Grup Gerak Khas" and Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU as they do train together.
The "Pandura" is equivalent to the Commando Parachute Group of the French Army, who is the pathfinder unit for the French Army's 11th Parachute Brigade.
Origin.
Established in 1995, as Platun Pandura ('Pathfinder Platoon'), to meet the need of an infiltration team to enter the area of operations to give navigation assistance and movement control for the main paratroops forces. The word 'Pandura' is an abbreviation of the Malay word 'Pandu Arah Udara' which directly translated to 'Pathfinder'. 
This team is influenced by the Pathfinder Platoon of the British Army.
Roles.
In the beginning of its establishment, the "Pandura" Platoon roles is to provides 10 PARA with navigation assistance and movement control, drops, plane flight and landing in exercise or operations area. In addition, they also carry out task to study, selecting and mark out drop zones (DZ), landing zones (LZ), landing sites (LS) and plane landing points. "Pandura" paratroopers will infiltrate into target area and assure the area safety. There they will give navigation assistance to allow the main force accurately locate the landing area and dropped as a cohesive forces and not spread out into smaller teams. They are capable to call and correct artillery, aircraft and Naval Gun Fire Support (NGF).
Later, many other combat elements were added into the "Pandura" Platoon, such as sniper and combat intelligence, thus, the platoon were expanded into a company size. "Pandura" paratroopers can act as snipers team with ability to relay information to aircraft pilot during operation. With its multi-abilities, the "Pandura" is the 'eyes and ears' to the 10 PARA.
As an elite among elite, "Pandura" paratroopers often selected as instructors to teach jungle survival skills and combat tactics to local and international military unit. The "Pandura" company along with the 10th Squadron (Parachute), Royal Engineer Regiment (Army's Airborne Sapper) also in-charge to overseer the Para Integrated All Weather Multi Mission Range (PIAW), a shooting range belongs to the 10 PARA.
Formations.
Because of the company is small and exclusive, there are not many information shared to the public. However, there are few platoons in the "Pandura" company that are known to the public. The platoons are:
Selections.
The 10 Parachute Brigade's "Pandura" Company selections made based on qualifications and skills of insertion by parachute, including static line and free fall. "Pandura" paratroopers also must able to operates visual aids, electronics equipment, provide ground-to-air communication, and driving various all-terrain vehicles.
"Pandura" Company paratroopers must have the ability to make interpretation and valuation immediately about the weather, wind direction, conditions and cloud height, visibility, and safety of the landing area. Each "Pandura" paratroopers must have 'Mobility' aspect - capable to operate by air and land, and 'Flexibility' aspect - capable to operate in short notice in various way to deal any form of contingency whether it is low level or high level.
Preparatory course — at the company (4 weeks).
The "Pandura" Company held one month of their own "Pandura" Course for the candidate as a preparation before the actual pathfinder course conducted by the Special Warfare Training Centre (PULPAK).
Pathfinder Course (7 weeks).
Known as Kursus Pandu Arah in Malay language, this course lasts for 7 weeks at PULPAK. "Pandura" badge will be given to members who pass the Pandura Course. The conditions to received pathfinder badge are:
Basic Free fall Course (6 weeks).
Military free fall is the forte of the "Pandura" Company that differ them to other unit within the 10 PARA.
Advanced training.
Among the advanced training offered to the paratrooper of the "Pandura" Company are:
Equipment.
Besides the free-fall equipment, the "Pandura" paratroopers used vital navigation equipment such as Operational Parachutist Navigational System (OPANAS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). They also use ground-to-air communication to communicate between themselves and aircraft for the main force drops.
"Pandura" members carry the same combat equipment as other 10 PARA's infantry.