THE JAMMU & KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY

THE JAMMU & KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY

India's first Light Infantry was born out of the peoples' response in 1947, to the invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan. In the difficult days of the invasion, the population formed local defence groups. These were later organised into militias responsible for specific sectors, e.g., Leh, Nubra, Jammu, Punch, etc. Over a period, these were grouped into the Militia battalions. Two of these were later converted into the Ladakh Scouts. The militia battalions operated with skill on the Line of Control (LoC) and in the 1971 Indo-Pak War earned three battle honours. In 1972, the militia battalions were brought on par with the army units, and in 1976 designated the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI). The 8th JAK LI earned great honour by capturing a Pakistani post at 21,000 feet at the Siachen Glacier in 1987. Its Regimental Centre is Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed muskets. Its Regimental motto is ‘Balidanam Vir Lakshanam’ (Sacrifice is Sign of the Brave) and its war cry is ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ (Victory to Mother India).