paramilitary
n. countablen. a group of people who are organized like an army but are not part of a country's official military. They often use weapons and follow a strict chain of command.
n. an organized group of armed individuals whose structure, training, and function resemble those of a professional military, but who lack official state status. Often associated with political movements or insurgencies.
The paramilitary group patrolled the border.
Following the collapse of the central government, several paramilitary units formed to protect local neighborhoods from looters.
The peace treaty required all paramilitary organizations to surrender their heavy weaponry and integrate their members into the national police force to ensure long-term stability.
From para- + military.
Often used in the plural to refer to the members of such a group or the groups themselves.