The Units of The Regiment

One of the Naga Battalions was launched for operations in Company Groups in the face of very heavy odds. Not withstanding the vagaries of difficult terrain and weather conditions, the ‘Bahadur Paltan’ pushed on, cut off the enemy and ascertained enemy’s correct strength.

By mid June, The Nagas as part of a mountain brigade, arrived as additional force within the area. The Brigade was ordered to capture Point 5140, a feature overlooking the strategic Srinagar-Leh Highway . In turn, the Nagas were ordered to capture Black Rock (Black Tooth), a feature forming part of Point 5140 complex. After a detailed reconnaissance the attack was launched.

The enemy at Black Rock had well coordinated defences with strong bunkers. Throughout the day, massive Heavy Machine Gun, Medium Machine Gun and Rocket Launcher fire brought down by the enemy, restricted movement of the Nagas. To make things more difficult, a stiff cliff of approximately 60 metres height was encountered just before the objective. The Nagas negotiated the cliff with special mountaineering equipment under heavy enemy fire and captured the objective at 0230 hours.

In recognition of their brave deeds, The Naga Paltan was awarded the Battle Honour ‘Drass’ and Theatre Honour ‘Kargil’. During the operations, Nk (now Hav) Khushiman Gurung and Sep K Ashuli (Posthumous) were awarded the Vir Chakra, while Capt (RMO) (now Maj) Vijay Kumar, Sub (now Hony Capt) A Heni Mao and Hav Tam Bahadur (Posthumous) were awarded the Sena Medal, Capt (now Maj) S Ashok received Mentioned in Despatches. The Battalion also received two Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.

Another Naga Battalion was moved to Zojila, for the attack on Tiger Hill. However, the Nagas were placed under another Brigade, for attack on Point 4875. The Brigade operation commenced on the night. The Nagas were tasked to capture an objective in conjunction with another Infantry Battalion on Pimple 2. When a company of Nagas reached close to the objective, the enemy engaged them with machine gun fire. Thus, at first light, the Company was hemmed in. At this stage Col Bhadola, the Commanding Officer, decided to move another company as a reserve. The enemy continued to engage Nagas at close ranges, and it took another 10 hours of fighting to fully secure the objective. In an another story, a patrol of 10 Jawans of a Naga company under Lt Bakshi was sent to exploit the area ahead of the objective. The Patrol located enemy’s Mortar Position and observed 4-5 soldiers moving around. Another patrol under Capt Sherawat was sent to raid the position. During the raid Sepoy Imliakum Ao approached the enemy sentry during broad daylight and killed him. He kept moving forward and killed one more sentry and subsequently stormed the mortar position along with the Assault Group. Sepoy Imliakum showed exemplary courage and determination killing two enemy soldiers. His determination, grit, cool confidence and raw courage in the face of enemy was exemplary in the true spirit and traditions of the Indian Army and the Regiment which was a factor in eliminating the enemy from the almost indomitable mortar position.

For the exemplary courage in the face of enemy, sustained and successful performance in storming the enemy mortar position and killing two enemy soldier, Sepoy Imliakum AO wasawarded MAHAVIR CHAKRA. The raid was a big success wherein the patrol killed five enemy soldiers and captured three 120 mm and two 81 mm Mortars alongwith a huge stockpile of ammunition without suffering any casualties. Examination of documents revealed that the fire base had been supporting most of Pakistani troops in Mashkoh Valley , and loss of it denied this vital fire-support to them. For his bold and courageous act of raiding the enemy mortars, Capt DKS Sherawat was awarded Vir Chakra.

For the meritorious and gallant performance during the battles, the Naga Battalion was instantaneously awarded Chief of the Army Staff Unit Citation on 12 July 1999 and was later given the Battle Honour ‘Mushkoh’ and Theatre Honour ‘Kargil’. One Kumaon Battalion was immediately ordered to capture a series of posts along the Line of Control. The Battalion employed two of its companies, in an extremely difficult terrain and hostile weather conditions for attack. After a determined attack, the Battalion captured the objective without any casualties. The enemy fled leaving behind his dead and equipment. Troops under the command of Maj Atul Bisht, SM, had captured highest feature during Operation ‘Vijay’. Enemy fled after suffering heavy casualties.The enemy launched a counter attack, which was repulsed and the post was consolidated.During the operations Maj KS Mehra, SM, was awarded Bar to Sena Medal, while Capt Harkamal Atwal, Hav Sadhu Ram (Posthumously), Nk Lal Mani (Posthumously), LNk Ram Dular (Posthumously) received Sena Medal. The unit also received nine Mentioned in Despatches, five Chief of the Army Staff and five General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards.

Role of the Battalions of the Regiment during Counter Insurgency Operations in Jammu & Kashmir

The Units of The Regiment

A Kumaon Battalion carried out number of search operations, ambushes and ‘area domination patrols’ and captured large quantity of arms, ammunition, explosives and other war-like stores and earned two Sena Medals and five Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.One of the Kumaon Battalions was inducted and it immediately got engaged into combat, and was successful in neutralising and eliminating large number of militants, besides recovering large number of weapons and equipment.

During a ‘Cordon and Search’ operation of village under command of Maj Keshav Singh, Sep Dashrath showed exemplary courage, by charging and engaging two terrorists single-handedly. However, he was fatally wounded by fire from a neighbouring building. Sep Dashrath Singh was awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for his gallant action and devotion to duty.

The Battalion launched extensive search and rescue. In one incident, the Battalion placed a ‘cordon’ by occupying the heights towards the East, South and West of the objective during hours of darkness and commenced the search of the village. At about 0700 hours, L Nk Rai Singh, the scout of one of the search groups, observed some terrorists deployed about 30 meters away in firing positions. Realising the gravity of situation, L Nk Rai Singh charged the terrorists with total disregard to his personal safety, killing three on the spot. In the exchange of fire however, L Nk Rai Singh was mortally wounded. In this action LNk Rai Singh was awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) and L Nk Satbir Singh, the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card. In an operation in a jungle, Sub Sujjan Singh, a search party commander spotted two terrorist hideouts along side a narrow and steep nullah. He along with his party, stealthily closed onto the hideout. When he was barely 10 meters away, his team drew accurate fire from the hideout. Sub Sujjan Singh noticed a party led by Capt Koyarh moving and realised that the lives of the officer and his men were in grave danger.

He thus charged towards the ‘hideout’, spraying the enemy with automatic fire. Sub Sujjan Singh received a burst in his abdomen but undaunted, this brave JCO continued the assault, firing continuously till all five terrorists in the hideout were killed. In this process, a bullet hit him on his head and he dropped dead instantly. In a display of most conspicuous gallantry, eminent valour and triumph, Sub Sujjan Singh was awarded Ashok Chakra. Another Kumaon Battalion was deployed along the Line of Control. During this period, he Battalion carried out a number of operations under Operation ‘Rakshak’.

In one incident, the Battalion launched an operation to counter terrorist infiltration under Lt Col Natraj Vijay Raghavan, SM, the Second-in-Command of the Battalion. As Lt Col Raghavan’s party was approaching the area the militants opened effective fire. He killed one militant on the spot. However, while doing so he was hit in his chest with a burst. Undeterred, he charged onto the next militant and killed him but in the scuffle he was fatally wounded. Lt Col Raghavan, SM was awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for this extraordinary gallantry, exemplary leadership and the supreme sacrifice. The Battalion earned one Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), three Sena Medals (one being posthumous), one Mentioned-in- Despatches, eight Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards and seven General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards. Maj Vishal Bahl was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card.

Effective intelligence network and cordial relations established by another Battalion with locals, led to surrender of some of the misguided youth, who were lured into anti-national activities. In the one-year tenure of the Battalion, a large number of weapons, ammunition, and equipment had been recovered after each engagement. Under Operation ‘Sadbhavana’, extensive medical and veterinary camps were organised by the unit at various locations. The Battalion was awarded five Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards during this tenure.

One of the Kumaon Battalions was inducted in Punch Sector for Operation ‘Rakshak’ (J&K), where the unit gained a major victory, by thwarting a Pakistani attempt to capture an Indian Post. In one incident, the Battalion successfully defeated a major infiltration attempt, in which a large number of enemy soldiers were killed.

In an Operation, Company columns under Lt Padmaja Kishore and Maj DD Baloni, encountered a group of militants and killed all six of them, without suffering any casualty. The Kumaon Battalion had an excellent tenure in Punch Sector, where it earned one Shaurya Chakra (Sep Bhagwan Singh), three Sena Medals, (Hav Tej Chand, L Hav Dev Singh and Sep Guman Singh), two Commendation Cards each from Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Another Battalion area of responsibility was dominated by fire and observation by the enemy. To achieve psychological and moral ascendancy over the enemy, the unit had to carry out relentless fire assaults. Sub Dillip Prasad the Post Commander, an erstwhile weapons instructor, while retaliating to enemy fire, came out of his bunker to rectify a technical snag developed by one Medium Machine Gun of the Company. The fire from this weapon was critical to neutralise the enemy’s observation post. He set the weapon right and thereafter started directing the fire. While he was doing so he was struck by a shrapnel in his abdomen. Undeterred, the brave JCO continued directing accurate fire till he collapsed due to loss of blood. He was awarded Sena Medal (Posthumous).

Along with operational tasks, the Battalion carried out extensive civic actions under Operation ‘Sadbhavana’. The unit was awarded one Sena Medal, six Chief of the Army Staff and three General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Commendation Cards.

Another Kumaon Battalion under Col SC Thakur was deployed along the Line of Control. One company participated in an operation, in which 43 infiltrators from across the Line of Control were liquidated and a few captured.

The Battalion under Col SK Ganguly, was yet again inducted for its subsequent field tenure and was deployed for active Counter Insurgency operations. In a cordon and search operation an encounter ensued, when some militants tried to escape.

Sep Chandan Singh, the stop, charged and killed one militant. However, he was fatally wounded in doing so. The militant was later identified as District Commander, Al Barak Group. Sep Chandan Singh was awarded a Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous). The Kumaon Battalion neutralised 70 militants including 33 foreign mercenaries,apprehended 71, while 26 militants surrendered. In addition a large quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment was captured. The Battalion was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff ‘Unit Citation’, one Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), seven Sena Medals, (Maj Ashok Mishra, Maj Yomesh Kale, Maj Manish Chaturvedi, Nk Braham Datt, Nk Bhawan Singh, L Nk Vijay Pal Singh and Sep Shiv Raj Singh) and nine each of Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation cards.

One of the Battalions had a commendable record of eliminating militants while being deployed along the Line of Control. The battalion undertook a series of offensive actions to successfully evict the Pakistani intruders. The Battalion was awarded two Sena Medals, four Chief of The Army Staff and ten General Officer Commanding- in- Chief, Commendation Cards.

Another Battalion, during ‘On the Job Training’ itself, proved its worth by killing two terrorists trying to infiltrate through its area of responsibility. Within a week of taking over the operational responsibility, the unit got success by killing a foreign terrorist and captured large quantity of arms, ammunition, and incriminating documents. In this encounter, the unit lost a valiant soldier, Nk Nandan Singh Mehra who was awarded the Sena Medal (Posthumous).

Despite the vagaries of weather and the rugged terrain, the unit continued undeterred with the tasks of counter infiltration and maintaining sanctity of the Line of Control. The unit displayed high professional competence by eliminating six hardcore foreign terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba, attempting to infiltrate through the Battalion area of responsibility.

The effective intelligence base established by the unit came handy in recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition and war like stores in various search operations. During this tenure, the Battalion earned two Sena Medals and seven Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards. Another Battalion was awarded three Sena Medals, one Mentioned in Despatches, seven Chief of the Army Staff and four General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards. For the commendable performance, another unit was recognised with one Vir Chakra, one Sena Medal, five Chief of the Army Staff and two General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards. The Battalion, for its exemplary performance was also awarded the Chief of the Army Staff ‘Unit Citation’.

Militancy In Punjab

The Units of The Regiment

	One of the Kumaon Battalion was selected as one of the battalions, to be employed in Operation ‘Blue Star’. Kumaonis were entrusted with the difficult task of clearing Guru Ram Das Sarai, SGPC Building and Guru Nanak Niwas. Using minimum force and operating with restraint, the Battalion successfully accomplished the assigned tasks. During the operation, the Battalion earned one Kirti Chakra (Posthumous), three Shaurya Chakras and two Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards as follows :- Maj H K Palta - Kirti Chakra (Posthumous) Nb Sub Nain Singh - Shaurya Chakra Hav Kalyan Singh - Shaurya Chakra Sep Hira Singh - Shaurya Chakra
	Another Kumaon Battalion was launched into action during the night as the situation became fluid. The Battalion accomplished the assigned task with great determination and grit in the time-tested spirit of the indomitable Kumaonis. For their devotion to the duty and highest degree of gallantry, Maj Bhukant Misra and Nk Nirabhay Singh were posthumously awarded the ‘Ashok Chakra’, the highest gallantry award during peacetime. It was a unique honour for any Infantry Battalion in the Indian Army, to have earned two highest gallantry awards, the Ashok Chakras, in one operation, conducted on the same night. The Battalion was also awarded three Shaurya Chakra and five Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.
	Maj Bhukant Misra - Ashok Chakra (Posthumous) Nk Nirbhay Singh - Ashok Chakra (Posthumous) L Nk Ranjit Singh - Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) L Nk Jagdish Chandra - Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) Sep Ram Bahor Singh - Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) Hav Bhupal Singh - Shaurya Chakra

Insurgency in North East States

Assam

One of the Kumaon Battalions operating in Assam, was awarded one Shaurya Chakra to Capt (now Maj) Neeraj Sood, one Vishist Seva Medal to Col Jadish Singh, the Commanding Officer, three Sena Medals (Maj Sumeet Abrol, Nb Sub Madan Chand and Sep Jagdish Singh), seven Chief of the Army Staff and four General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards. The unit was also awarded the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command ‘Unit Citation’ Another Kumaon Battalion had two tenures in Assam . In the first tenure, within a month of induction, the Battalion achieved remarkable success, 233 ULFA cadres surrendered inclusive of their complete district hierarchy. In the subsequent tenure, the Battalion killed 32 militants, while 154 militants either surrendered or were apprehended. The unit was awarded General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command ‘Unit Citation’. The Battalion was awarded one Shaurya Chakra (Maj Shankar Gopinathan of Intelligence Corps was attached with the Kumaon Bn), seven Sena Medals (Maj Aditya Kanwal, Capt Prageet Kumar, Lt RS Mehra,Lt Arjun Mohan, Hav Dalbir Singh, Hav Najin Singh and L Nk Dewan Singh), two Mentioned in Despatches (Maj Vikram Bhan and Capt PS Kanda), nine Chief of the Army Staff and four General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards. Another Kumaon Battalion as a part of one of the first formations was inducted and was successful in apprehending a large number of ULFA militants including 18 hardcore and was awarded two Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards. A decade later, the same Battalion was back into Operations. It performed outstandingly, wherein it killed a total of 24 militants and recovered large amount of arms, ammunition and other war-like stores.

The Battalion received the award of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command ‘Unit Citation’. For exemplary bravery displayed, the Unit also received one Shaurya Chakra (Sep Narendra Singh), seven Sena Medals, two Mentioned in Despatches, ten Chief of the Army Staff and four General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Cards.One of the Kumaon Battalions had an enviable tenure. The Battalion started with a bang and raided four militant camps. It also carried out extensive seek and destroy operations, during which the Battalion apprehended more than 300 hard core militants, while similar numbers surrendered. Large quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment were also captured.The Battalion’s actions were very effective in giving a big jolt to insurgency. It was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff ‘Unit Citation’. The Commanding Officer, Col (now Maj Gen) Rajender Singh was awarded the Sena Medal and Vishist Seva Medal. In addition, the unit also received one Sena Medal, 11 Chief of the Army Staff and five General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Commendation Cards.A number of Kumaon Battalions had also been in action in the North Eastern states as part of counter insurgency operations. They not only remained very active against ULFA insurgents but also established good civil-military relations with local administration and population. A number of awards and honours were bagged by these Battalions owing to flawless operations, bravery and devotion to duty displayed by them. In one of the operations Maj Samrat Maiti made supreme sacrifice and was posthumously awarded Shaurya Chakra.

Nagaland

The Units of The Regiment

Generally all Battalions of the Regiment have had one or more tenures in Nagaland. Pre 1965, a few Kumaon Battalions were launched various operations to eliminate the hostiles. An appreciable degree of success was achieved in locating and destroying a number of deserted hostile camps and hideouts. Some of the hostiles were also captured, but the top leaders escaped the dragnet.

Post 1965, again Kumaon Battalions were operationally deployed in Nagaland. In January 1969, reports came in that gangs of China trained Nagas insurgents under self styled ‘Gen’ Mown Angami and Issac Swu, would attempt to cross over from Burma ( Myanmar ). To intercept these one of the Kumaon Battalions set up a chain of posts along the border. During the extensive operations launched by the Battalion, 91 Naga hostiles surrendered to it. Capt MS Chadha was awarded a Shaurya Chakra for conspicuous gallantry, while the Commanding Officer, Lt Col (later Lt Gen and Colonel of the Regiment) RN Mahajan was awarded the Vishist Seva Medal. The Battalion received 14 Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.

In another Counter Insurgency scenario in a different area, as many as 350 hostiles surrendered to another Kumaon Battalion. Nb Sub Harihar Singh and L Nk Narpat Singh were awarded Shaurya Chakra and the Commanding Officer, Lt Col (later Brig) Dal Singh was awarded Vishist Seva Medal in these operations. A Kumaon Battaluion, was inducted in Nagaland under command of Lt Col (later Maj Gen) RK Khanna. Based on hard intelligence received of a China bound gang led by Th Muivah passing through the Battalion’s area, an operation was launched. Due to relentless pursuit and meticulous coordination, the Battalion successfully apprehended a total of 33 insurgents, with only a few escaping. 2 Lt (later Lt Col) KS Yadav and Capt (later Lt Col) HS Hanspal were awarded Sena Medals, while Lt Col RK Khanna and Maj Ugra Sen Yadava were awarded Vishist Seva Medal in addition to two Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.

Another Battalion was awarded one Sena Medal, two Vishist Seva Medals and three Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards. In the same period another Battalion, during its brief stay achieved spectacular successes by capturing nine hostiles and large quantities of arms and ammunition. It was recognised with two Sena Medals.

Manipur

Again a number of Battalions of the Regiment were inducted Manipur. The Battalions were awarded numerous awards and honours in recognition of the sacrifices made by them and role played in bringing normalcy to the State.One of the Kumaon Battalions has been deployed in Tripura twice and did a creditable job. Once the Battalion was air lifted at six hours notice and was tasked to establish the ‘Rule of Law’. During ensuing operations, 57 TUJS extremists were apprehended and more than 400 weapons of various types captured. Capt (now Lt Col ) SPS Panwar was awarded Vishist Seva Medal during this operation in addition to the two Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards.

Mizoram

One of the Kumaon Battalion under command Lt Col Mukut Singh was deployed in Mizoram, it launched a series of operations, wherein it killed and apprehended a number of insurgents. Another Battalion of the Regiment in Mizoram under command Lt Col Atma Singh carried out extensive operations against the insurgents.