Slitherine

Any ideas to effectively fight against this scourge?

Paras are only good when you catch the enemy off guard. As long as you see them or have a rear guard response force they are ineffective. Even if you just leave 1 conscript on an objective 1 para will have a hard time dislodging it to take the objective. If I have just 1 recon back as well the para is all but dead. Sure you can send 2 paras but that A) increases the chances you will be spotted, B) 2 core slots is a lot to give to such a mission, C) 2 para can still be stopped pretty easy

Best things to use against para are any unit with Hard defense values. Paras have 1 Hard attack, so even recons and self propelled AT are great against para in OPEN terrain. In addition para have very low defense value so any type of artillery will do impressive damage. Also mass attack a para with conscripts works well because the para only has max of 4 ammo so you will deplete it in a single turn.

If the enemy is dumb enough to use para on the front line just use artillery against it and laugh.