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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). Since then, battalions of the Light Infantry have served with honour in different parts of the country, in Sri Lanka and as part of the United Nations Force in Somalia. The 8th JAK LI earned great honour by capturing a Pakist

THE JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES The Jammu & Kashmir Rifles has a unique regimental history. It was not raised by the British but by an intrepid Indian ruler called Gulab Singh in 1821. Gulab Singh was one of the ablest Generals of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later became the ruler of the Jammu & Kashmir state. He and his legendary General Zorawar Singh led many spectacular campaigns to add Ladakh, Baltistan, Hunza and Skardu to the State territories. Zorawar Singh mounted a breath-taking invasion of Tibet in 1841. The state forces fought as Imperial Service troops in both World Wars under their own native officers. They distinguished themselves in East Africa, Palestine and Burma. However, the regiment's grimmest hour came during the Pakistani invasion of Kashmir in 1947. It was their heroic stand that gained time for the entry of the Indian Army and thus saved the Kashmir Valley. It may not be out of place to mention that the Indian people largely owe the

THE KUMAON REGIMENT The Kumaonis had been in British military service since the early 19th Century. As part of the North Indian class, who had joined the military of the East India Company's forces, the Kumaonis had moved to other states in search of military service. Thus they formed part of the Hyderabad Contingent, which was raised, trained and led by British officers under Henry Russel, but paid by the Nizam of Hyderabad. In 1857, in keeping with the class based composition of the infantry, the Regiment comprised Rajputs, Jats and Muslims. After the Great War, some Kumaoni battalions were raised separately, but the Hyderabadis continued and fought with distinction in the World War. In 1945, the Hyderabadis became the Kumaon Regiment. When the Naga Regiment and the Kumaon Scouts were raised, they came under the aegis of the Kumaon Regiment. Its Regimental Centre is Ranikhet, Uttaranchal and its Regimental insignia is a demi-rampant lion holding a cross. The d

THE DOGRA REGIMENT The Dogras who form the hardy and loyal population of the hill regions of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have a long tradition of soldiering. They had been in the service of the British some years as part of the Frontier Force. The Dogras formed into a regiment in 1887 and three Dogra Regiments were raised as part of the Bengal Infantry. During the World Wars, more Dogra battalions were added and after 1947 the Dogra Regiment gained further in the additional battalions as part of the Army's post-1962 expansion. The Dogra Scouts come under the aegis of the Dogra Regiment. Its Regimental Centre is Fazizbad, Uttar Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a tiger, revered as the mount of Goddess Durga, who is a widely worshipped deity in the Dogra Hills. Its Regimental motto is ‘Kartavyam Anvatma’ (Duty Before Death) and its war cry is ‘Jawala Mata Ki Jai’ (Victory to Goddess Jawala). Its insignia is A Tiger, revered as the moun

MECHANISED INFANTRY REGIMENT The Mechanised Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It is one of the youngest regiments in the army and though it was formed as a result of lessons learned in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, to give infantry battalions greater mobility, it was the mastermind of late Gen K Sundarji who had the foresight to cater the needs of a modern army. Various mechanised battalions being brought together under a single cap badge as the Mechanised Infantry Regiment in 1979. The Mechanised Infantry Regiment has participated in Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Rakshak in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and Operation Vijay in Jammu & Kashmir. It also specialises in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Somalia, Angola and Sierra Leone. The Regiment has its affiliation to INS Gharial, of the Indian Navy. The The Mechanised Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army has a special distinction of operating even in the high altitude areas of Lad

PRESIDENT’S BODYGUARD The President's Bodyguard (PBG), as it is known today, was raised in 1773 at Benares, by then Governor General Warren Hastings, with a strength of 50 picked troopers and horses. This nucleus of the Bodyguard was later augmented by another 50, provided by Raja Chet Singh of Benares, bringing the overall strength of the Bodyguard up to 100 horses and men by the end of that year. The establishment of the Regiment varied through the years, being augmented in times of war and it attained its maximum strength of 1929 all ranks, in the Army List of 1845, just prior to the First Sikh War. After Independence, in keeping with its high traditions, the PBG rendered yeoman service in 1947 and around the capital in the upheaval during the aftermath of partition. The Regiment saw action in 1965. In 1988 and 1989, detachments of the PBG served on the world's highest battlefield in Siachen as well as with the Indian contingent forming part of the Uni