Flechas
| Flechas | |
|---|---|
The insignia of the Flechas. | |
| Active | 1967–1975 |
| Country | Portugal |
| Allegiance | Portugal |
| Branch | PIDE |
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Part of | PIDE/DGS |
| Garrison/HQ | Lisbon |
| Engagements | Portuguese Colonial War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Oscar Cardoso |
The Flechas (Portuguese for Arrows) were an elite paramilitary tactical unit of the Portuguese secret police (PIDE, latter renamed DGS) that operated in Angola and Mozambique during the Portuguese Colonial War. Unlike most of the other Portuguese special forces that were employed in the several theatres of operations of the conflict, the Flechas were not a de jure military unit but a PIDE/DGS (secret police) unit.
Flechas were organized as platoon-sized units consisting of local tribesmen and rebel defectors. They sometimes patrolled in captured uniforms and were rewarded with cash bounties for every guerrilla or guerrilla weapon they captured.
Flechas had a reputation for atrocities, brutality, torture, and summary executions.