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Grupo Antiterrorista Rural (GAR) - Rural Anti-terrorist Group was an earlier name for the current Grupo de Acción Rápida (GAR) (Rapid Action Group) which is the rural Police Tactical Unit (PTU) of the Guardia Civil (Civil Guard), the Spanish gendarmerie.
The unit is integrated within the Unidad de Acción Rural or Rural Action Unit (UAR).
The origin of this unit dates back to April 1978 with the creation of the Unidad Antiterrorista Rural (UAR) or Rural Anti-Terrorist Unit.
The UAR was conceived as a unit especially suited to act in difficult times and situations and in response to the need to deal with the high level of activity of the Basque terrorist group ETA.
This unit will serve as the basis for the creation of the Grupo Antiterrorista Rural or Rural Anti-Terrorist Group (GAR) in 1982.
In 1991, the Unit was renamed the Grupo Especial de Seguridad or Special Security Group (GES), under the Agrupación Rural de Seguridad or Rural Security Group (ARS). The GES was detached from the ARS in 1997.
The name was changed to the Grupo de Acción Rural (GAR) or Rural Action Group.
In 1998 the name was changed to the current Grupo de Acción Rápida (GAR) or Rapid Action Group.
Together with the Special Training Centre (CAE), it became part of the Unidad de Acción Rural (UAR) or Rural Action Unit.
