[1] Gerak Khas was founded in 1965 during the Indonesia-Malaysia conflict, and they gained worldwide fame and recognition after successfully pacifying the communist insurgency in Malaysia's jungles between 1968 and 1989.

Coming from a prominent Malay noble family, he infiltrated the Japanese-Malayan administration under the guise of collaboration, using his position to gather intelligence.

Tunku Osman, also a former Force 136 agent trained in commando tactics by the Special Operations Executive (SOE), shared Abdul Razak's vision.

Out of the 300 volunteers, only 15 individuals were selected to attend the six-week Basic Commando Course at the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School.

At the time, the MSSU was stationed at Sebatang Karah Camp in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, marking the beginning of Malaysia's modern special forces development.

Malaysian police, in addition to the military, had their own jungle squads (now known as General Operations Force) to assist in combating communists at the time.

MSSU also collaborated with the Royal Malaysia Police's Special Branch to apprehend leaders of gangsters and triads who contributed to the incident's racial tensions behind the scenes.

The Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas (PULPAK; 'Special Warfare Training Centre') was established here in 1975 as part of the 3rd Malaysian Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces.

Situated 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Mersing, Sri Iskandar Camp spans an area of 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) and is equipped with extensive infrastructure.

The base comprises 200 buildings, 20 kilometres (12 mi) of roads, three bridges, a harbour, helicopter landing pads, parade squares, and various other facilities designed to support special operations forces.

[12] The 21st Special Service Group (21 SSG) serves as the primary command for the Gerak Khas commandos, with the majority of its personnel attached to this unit.

The 21st Special Service Group is commanded by a major general, reflecting its significance within the Malaysian Army's elite forces structure.

Additionally, a detachment of Gerak Khas commandos has been assigned to the Malaysian Army Ready Battalion, where they serve as a special operations element.

This initiative led to the formation of the Defence Special Operations Division (DSOD), or Bahagian Operasi Pasukan Khas Pertahanan, in 2020.

[3][18] On 1 August 1976, the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC), known in Malay as Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus (PULPAK), was officially established.

[20] During this phase, trainees undergo introductory training, focusing on physical conditioning, mental resilience, and basic skills required for the next stage of selection.

[21] The Malaysian Army conducts the Kursus Asas Komando (Basic Commando Course) three times a year at the Special Warfare Training Centre, located in Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca.

Additionally, special forces trainees from friendly nations, including Brunei, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, have participated in the program.

Among the advanced training courses available are: The 2nd Special Service Regiment was established on 1 January 1977, based at Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca.

Joint programs are conducted with other countries such as Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States to improve knowledge and to get new experience in certain aspects of SOF operations.

In Malaysia, all soldiers who successfully complete the Basic Commando Course at the Special Warfare Training Centre are awarded this light blue lanyard.

One of the distinctive traditions of Gerak Khas is their unique sleeve-folding style, known as Lipatan Gaya Samseng in Malay (Gangster-Style Sleeve Fold).

Unlike the formal sleeve-folding of the Malaysian Army, where the camouflage pattern remains visible, Gerak Khas commandos fold their sleeves higher, revealing the plain inner side of the uniform and exposing their biceps.

This tradition continues today—graduates of the Special Warfare Training Centre receive a Fairbairn–Sykes commando dagger, along with their green beret and light blue lanyard.

The commando dagger is also part of the ceremonial dress for the 21st Special Service Group (21 SSG) and is worn on the left side of the belt during military parades.

Detective Saghadevan was killed by the terrorists too before the remaining hostages were rescued alive after the group decided to voluntarily surrender to the Malaysian authorities.

The units were deployed with other troopers from the 10th Parachute Brigade and Royal Malaysian Police elite team, Pasukan Gerakan Khas to calm troubles in Timor Leste, in an Australian-led mission called Operation Astute.

However, the SAR team found the wreckage of the helicopter, with its rotor blades detached at 5 km northwest of location at 1324 hrs on 17 July 2007.

[35] Gerak Khas units were deployed with the 10th Parachute Brigade, PASKAL and PASKAU involved MALCON – UNIFIL to serve in Lebanon.

The team was deployed to assist the New Zealand Armed Forces in the peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid at the Bamiyan District, Afghanistan.