ഘടനയും പരിശീലനവും പ്രവർത്തനവും ഒരു സാധാരണ സൈനിക വിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ പോലെ ആയിരിക്കുകയും എന്നാൽ ഒരു രാഷ്ടത്തിന്റെ ഔദ്യോഗിക സേനയുമായി ബന്ധമില്ലാതിരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്ന സൈനിക അർദ്ധ സൈനിക വിഭാഗങ്ങളെയാണ് പാരാമിലിട്ടറി എന്ന പദത്താൽ അർത്ഥമാക്കുന്നത്.[1]
വിവിധ രാജ്യങ്ങളിൽ ഔദ്യോഗികമായും അനൌദ്യോഗികമായും വിവിധ തരത്തിലുള്ള പാരാമിലിട്ടറികളുണ്ട്.
Depending on the standards used, "paramilitaries" may include:
Irregular military forces: militias, guerrillas, insurgents, and so forth
The auxiliary forces of a state's military: National Guard, Presidential Guard, Republican Guard
Some kinds of police forces, such as auxiliary police
Border guards, such as Russia's Border Guard Service
Security forces of ambiguous military status: Internal Troops, Railroad Guards or Railway troops
Militarized law enforcement personnel, such as SWAT teams in the United States
Foreign volunteers
Youth Military Cadet Organisations, such as Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
In the United Kingdom, the term is often restricted to armed groups involved in the Northern Ireland Troubles, such as the Ulster Volunteer Force or the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
"paramilitary". Oxford English Dictionary (3rded.). Oxford University Press. June 2011 [online edition; original published in June 2005]. Retrieved 2011-09-13. Designating, of, or relating to a force or unit whose function and organization are analogous or ancillary to those of a professional military force, but which is not regarded as having professional or legitimate status.
Golkar, Saeid. (2012). Organization of the Oppressed or Organization for Oppressing: Analysing the Role of the Basij Militia of Iran. Politics, Religion & Ideology, Dec., 37–41. doi:10.1080/21567689.2012.725661