Indian Army | Indian armed forces

Indian army

Indian Army:-

The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general. Two officers have been conferred with the rank of field marshal, a five-star rank, which is a ceremonial position of great honour. The Indian Army originated from the armies of the East India Company, which eventually became the British Indian Army, and the armies of the princely states, which were merged into the national army after independence. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in a number of battles and campaigns around the world, earning many battle and theatre honours before and after Independence.

Logo

The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, to defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and to maintain peace and security within its borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances, such as Operation Surya Hope, and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power, alongside the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. The army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, and Operation Cactus. The army has conducted large peace time exercises such as Operation Brasstacks and Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions, including those in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador, Liberia, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Somalia.

The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into seven commands, with the basic field formation being a division. Below the division level are permanent regiments that are responsible for their own recruiting and training. The army is an all-volunteer force and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is the largest standing army in the world, with 1,237,117 active troops and 960,000 reserve troops. The army has embarked on an infantry modernisation program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS), and is also upgrading and acquiring new assets for its armoured, artillery, and aviation branches.

The Indian Army has proved that the regimental colours its Jawans carry are still a matter of honour. The many wars it faced, have ensured that those traditions would be carried on by many generations of fighting Jawans in the years to come. Most of all, the Jawans have learnt that after all was said and done, honour in battle meant standing one's ground and fighting - even to the last man or tank if necessary. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!

Mission and doctrine:-

 Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken up the responsibility of providing internal security, especially against insurgencies in Kashmir and Northeast India. Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing its special forces capabilities. With India's increasing international role, and the requirement to protect its interests in far-off countries becomes important, the Indian Army and Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.

The current combat doctrine of the Indian Army is based on effectively utilising holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and strike formations would counter-attack to neutralise enemy forces. In the case of an Indian attack, the holding formations would pin enemy forces down, whilst the strike formations would attack at a point of India's choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role.

Command structure:-

The army operates six operational commands and one training command. Each command is headed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Lieutenant General. Each command directly reports to Army HQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in order of creation, with location (city) and commanders listed. There is also the Army Training Command abbreviated ARTRAC. Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as the Strategic Forces Command and Andaman and Nicobar Command, as well as institutions such as the Integrated Defence Staff.

Name	Headquarters	Subordinate Unit(s)
Headquarters, Indian Army	New Delhi	50th Independent Parachute Brigade – Agra
Central Command	Lucknow	6th Mountain Division – Bareilly
Eastern Command	Kolkata	III Corps– Dimapur IV Corps – Tezpur XXXIII Corps – Siliguri XVII Corps – Panagarh
Northern Command	Udhampur	XIV Corps– Leh XV Corps – Srinagar XVI Corps – Nagrota
Southern Command	Pune	41st Artillery Division – Pune XII Corps – Jodhpur XXI Corps – Bhopal
South Western Command	Jaipur	42nd Artillery Division – Jaipur I Corps – Mathura X Corps – Bathinda
Western Command	Chandimandir	40th Artillery Division – Ambala II Corps – Ambala IX Corps – Yoll XI Corps – Jalandhar
Army Training Command	Shimla	Army Training Establishments

Infantry regiments in the Indian Army :-

Infantry regiments in the Indian Army
Regiment	Regimental Center	Raised
Parachute Regiment	Bangalore, Karnataka	1945
Punjab Regiment	Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand	1761
Madras Regiment	Wellington Cantonment, Tamil Nadu	1758
The Grenadiers	Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh	1778
Maratha Light Infantry	Belgaum, Karnataka	1768
Rajputana Rifles	Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi	1775
Rajput Regiment	Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh	1778
Jat Regiment	Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh	1795
Sikh Regiment	Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand	1846
Sikh Light Infantry	Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh	1857
Dogra Regiment	Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh	1877
Garhwal Rifles	Lansdowne, Uttarakhand	1887
Kumaon Regiment	Ranikhet, Uttarakhand	1813
Assam Regiment	Shillong, Meghalaya	1941
Bihar Regiment	Danapur Cantonment, Bihar	1941
Mahar Regiment	Sagar, Madhya Pradesh	1941
Jammu   & Kashmir Rifles	Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh	1821
Jammu and Kashmir   Light Infantry	Avantipur, Jammu   and Kashmir	1947
Naga Regiment	Ranikhet, Uttarakhand	1970
1 Gorkha Rifles	Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh	1815
3 Gorkha Rifles	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh	1815
4 Gorkha Rifles	Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh	1857
5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)	Shillong, Meghalaya	1858
8 Gorkha Rifles	Shillong, Meghalaya	1824
9 Gorkha Rifles	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh	1817
11 Gorkha Rifles	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh	1918
Ladakh Scouts	Leh, Ladakh	1963
Rashtriya Rifles		1990
Arunachal Scouts	Shillong, Meghalaya	2010
Sikkim Scouts		2013

Services:-

Name	Centre
Army Service Corps	Bangalore
Army Medical Corps	Lucknow/Pune
Army Dental Corps	Lucknow
Army Ordnance Corps	Jabalpur and Secunderabad (HQ)
Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers	Secunderabad
Remount and Veterinary Corps	Meerut
Army Education Corps	Pachmarhi
Corps of Military Police	Bangalore
Pioneer Corps	Bangalore
Army Postal Service Corps	Kamptee near Nagpur
Territorial Army	New Delhi
Defence Security Corps	Kannur Cantonment, Kerala
Intelligence Corps	Pune
Judge Advocate General's Department	Institute of Military Law Kamptee, Nagpur
Military Nursing Service	Pune and Lucknow

Recruitment and Training:-

Pre-commission training of Gentlemen Cadets is carried out at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and the Officers Training Academy at Chennai. There are also specialised training institutions such as the Army War College, at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh; the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir; the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJW), in Vairengte, Mizoram; and the College of Military Engineering (CME), in Pune.

The Army Training Command (ARTRAC), at Shimla, surpervises training of personnel.

In 2020 a 'Tour of Duty' scheme was proposed for voluntary recruitment into the forces for civilians, to enable them to join for a period of three years of short service.The scheme is on a trial basis and will start with a test group of 100 officers and 1000 jawans.

Field formations

Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army:

• Command: Indian Army has six operational commands and one training command. Each one is headed by a general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C), known as the army commander, who is among the seniormost Lieutenant General officers in the army.

• Corps: A command generally consists of two or more corps. Indian Army has 14 Corps each one commanded by a general officer commanding (GOC), known as the corps commander, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General. Each corps is composed of three or four divisions. There are three types of corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding and Mixed. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.

• Division: Each division is headed by GOC (division commander) in the rank of major general. It usually consists of three to four Brigades.Currently, the Indian Army has 40 Divisions including four RAPIDs (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division), 18 Infantry Divisions, 12 Mountain Divisions, three Armoured Divisions and three Artillery Divisions.

• Brigade: A brigade generally consists of around 3,000 combat troops with supporting elements. An Infantry Brigade usually has three Infantry battalions along with various Support Elements.] It is commanded by a brigade commander who is a Brigadier, equivalent to a brigadier general in some armies. In addition to the Brigades in various Army Divisions, the Indian Army also has five Independent Armoured Brigades, 15 Independent Artillery Brigades, seven Independent Infantry Brigades, one Independent Parachute Brigade, three Independent Air Defence Brigades, two Independent Air Defence Groups and four Independent Engineer Brigades. These Independent Brigades operate directly under the Corps Commander (GOC Corps).

• Battalion: Composed of four rifle companies. Commanded by a battalion commander who is a Colonel and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. Every infantry battalion also possesses one Ghatak Platoon.Company: Composed of three platoons. Commanded by a company commander who is a major or lieutenant-colonel.

• Battery: Comprising either 3 or 4 sections, in artillery and air defence units. Every battery has two officers, the senior of which is the Battery Commander.

• Platoon: Composed of three sections. Commanded by a platoon commander who is a JCO.

• Section: Smallest military outfit, with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a section commander of the rank of Havaldar.

Ladakh Scouts | Indian Army's regiment which acts as eyes and ears at LAC

Ladakh Scouts

Ladakh Scouts

The Ladakh Scouts is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, nicknamed the "Snow Warriors" or "Snow Tigers". The regiment specialises in mountain warfare, and its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the union territory of Ladakh.

Logo of Ladakh Scouts

Raised by Colonel S.P. Salunke, the Ladakh Scouts were converted into an Army regiment in 2000. The Ladakh Scouts recruits mainly from India's Ladakhi and Tibetan ethnic communities, and is among the army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honored with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including a Unit citation, one Ashok Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.

Ladakh Scouts

Ladakh Scouts, Indian Army's regiment which acts as eyes and ears at LAC

Amid the rising border tensions between India and China at lAC, the jawans of  'Ladakh Scouts' are fully ready with the Indian Army to fight against the enemy on the high hills of Ladakh. 
The soldiers of this regiment are recruited from Ladakh because they know every details of the area and are skilled enough to survive on this barren land. Several battalions of Ladakh Scouts are stationed at the Line of Actual Control during the ongoing tension between India and China. The 'Ladakh Scouts' are also called the eyes and ears of other soldiers deployed in the region as they save their lives from enemies.
Ladakh is the only region of India that faces the conspiracy of both Pakistan and China. In 1947, Pakistani intruders attempted to loot the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh via Kargil, but were driven out by the Ladakhi civilians. During that time, Ladakhi youth had formed 7th and 14th Jammu and Kashmir militia and both these battalions took strong positions in areas like Daulat Beg Oldi, Galvan, Hot Spring, Pangang, Chushul during the 1962 Chinese attack. Later the 'Ladakh Scouts' were formed from these two battalions, which was made into a regiment after they displayed exemplary courage and valour during 1999 Kargil war.
Currently, there are 5 battalions in the Ladakh Scouts Regiment, which is made up of youth living in the most difficult regions of Ladakh. These youth are well-trained to function in low oxygen, extremely cold and high altitude operations. The soldiers of 'Ladakh Scouts' are are posted in small teams in the most difficult areas of LAC. There are often soldiers from other regiments who patrol the most difficult areas of the LAC and soldiers of 'Ladakh Scouts' protect them from several threats.

History

In 1948, the "Nubra Guards" were raised from local Ladakhi warriors to patrol India's mountainous border in the Ladakh region. In 1952, the Nubra Guards were merged as the 7th Battalion, Jammu & Kashmir Militia (which itself later became the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry). The 14th Battalion of the militia was also raised from Ladakh in 1959.

On 1 June 1963, following the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Ladakh Scouts was formed by spinning off the 7th and 14th Battalions of the J&K Militia, and the unit was given the role of reconnaissance and interdiction in the high-altitude border regions by the Government of India.

After the Kargil War, the Ladakh Scouts was reformed as a standard infantry regiment on 1 June 2000. Its parent regiment is the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, but it trains and fights as an independent unit for all intents and purposes.

On 2 June 2013, it celebrated its Golden Jubilee to mark the merger between the Nubra Guards and the 7th Battalion of the J&K light infantry.

Units

The regiment currently consists of 5 battalions, with support personnel affiliated to other arms of the Indian army seconded in on rotation.

Recent Engagements

Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971

Units of the regiment have been deployed in combat in every major Indian operation since the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. The Scouts also received battle honours in the undeclared western theatre of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 which led to the independence of East Pakistan.

Operation Meghdoot

Units of the Ladakh Scouts were deployed with 3 rd Kumaon Rifles to capture the Siachen Glacier in April 1984, as a part of Operation Meghdoot.

Kargil War

The Ladakh Scouts were one of the first units to be deployed in combat action for Operation Vijay. Its units displayed exemplary gallantry and won numerous awards, including a Maha Vir Chakra for Major Sonam Wangchuk. The Scouts were awarded a Unit Citation for their gallantry during the battles of Point 5000 on 5-6 July 1999, Dog Hill on the night 30 June-1 July, and Padma Go on 9-10 July 1999, in the Batalik Sector. The citation recognised the unit's performance with distinction during Operation Vijay and display of exemplary valour and grit in the face of the enemy.

Kargil war

See also

• Indian Army

• Gorkha Regiments

• Ladakh

Gorkha Regiments

Gorkha regiments (India)

Since the independence of India in 1947, as per the terms of the Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement, six Gorkha regiments, formerly part of the British Indian Army, became part of the Indian Army and have served ever since. The troops are mainly from ethnic Gorkha community of Nepal. They have a history of courage in battle, evident from the gallantry awards won by Gorkha soldiers and battle honours awarded to Gorkha both before and after joining the Indian Army. They carry their signature, a Khukri knife with them. A seventh Gorkha Rifles regiment was re-raised in the Indian Army after Independence to accommodate Gorkha soldiers of 7th Gurkha Rifles and the 10th Gurkha Rifles who chose not to transfer to the British Army.

The regiments of the Gorkhas Rifles collectively and more popularly known as the 'Gorkha Brigade', form a pivotal element of the Infantry (Combat Arm) of the Indian Army. Approximately 45000 Gurkhas serve in 40-odd battalions spread across 7 Gurkha Rifles regiments and other arms of the Indian Army

Origins

Impressed by the fighting qualities displayed by the Gorkhas during the Gurkha War, Sir David Ochterlony was quick to realise the potential of the Gorkhas in the British Indian Army. Until then, Gorkha defectors were generally used as irregular forces. In 24 April 1815, the first battalion of the Gorkha Regiment, was raised as the Nasiri regiment. This regiment later became the 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles, and saw action at the Maulun fort under Lieutenant Lawtie.

They were instrumental in the expansion of the British East India Company throughout the subcontinent. The Gorkhas took part in the Gurkha-Sikh War, Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars, and in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Throughout these years, the British continued to recruit the Gorkhas and kept increasing the number of Gorkha regiments.

By the time First World War started, there were 10 Gorkha (spelt Gurkha at the time) regiments in the British Indian Army.^[1]

The Gorkha regiments played a major role as part of the Commonwealth armies during both World Wars seeing action from Monte Cassino in the west to Rangoon in the east, and earning extensive battle honours. During the North African campaign, the German Afrikakorps accorded respect to the Nepalese knife khukri-wielding Gorkhas.

A General Background

Gorkha Rifles - One of Indian Army's Highly Acclaimed and Decorated Infantry Regiments

The regiments of the Gorkhas Rifles collectively and more popularly known as the 'Gorkha Brigade', form a pivotal element of the Infantry (Combat Arm) of the Indian Army. Approximately 45000 Gurkhas serve in 40-odd battalions spread across 7 Gurkha Rifles regiments and other arms of the Indian Army.                    

The brave Gurkha soldiers have etched their names in the golden annals of Indian Army with almost all their regiments actively taking part in all of India's wars post independence, namely the Indo-Pak 1965 and 1971 Wars, 1962 Indo-China Conflict, 1999 Kargil War and peace keeping missions in Sri Lanka.

The Gurkha battalions showcased their undeterred spirit, Indomitable courage and valour at various battles, which earned them numerous battle and theatre honours - Gurais, Bilafond La, Shingo, Phillora, Dera Baba Nanak, Kargil, Bogra, Battalik to name a few ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytdC9pT5RY4

 

So here is a brief into the history of the Gorkha Rifles and their notable achievements

Boys from the hills of Nepal who are trained, polished and refined by armies to become the consummate soldier ..Gurkhas.. The mere mention of the name Gurkhas / Gorkhas sends down chills in the spines of those who have fought them or faced them in various battle fronts all through the course of military warfare..

 

The bravado and valiance of the Gurkhas has become somewhat a folklore and finds a noteworthy place in military history.There could not be a more fearsome sight on the battlefield when the steadfast Gurkhas ferociously charging with their Khukris,  curved blade knives, unleash sheer carnage into enemy territory slashing the throats of the enemies. The brave tales of the Gurkha soldier are stuff of legends and have earned them the title of the Bravest of the Brave. The regimental Motto of most of the Gurkha Rifles (GR) regiments say it all -Kayar Hunu Banda Marna Ramro (It Is Better To Die In War Than Live Like A Coward)

Perhaps there isn't a better way to describe the valour and courage of the Gurkhas which came from none other than one of the finest ever military commanders, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. who had the privilege of serving with the Gurkhas during his stellar military career“If anyone tells you he is never afraid, he is a liar or he is a Gurkha.” -  Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.  

Born and raised amid the lofty mountain ranges of the Himalayan region in Nepal and India, the rugged terrain and the harsh climatic conditions of the highlands make the Gurkhas naturally adept to enduring all odds to survive till the very last bullet is fired in the battlefield. Stockily built with tremendous endurance and physical prowess, Gurkhas are tailor-made to excel as a lethal combat soldier.The Anglo Gurkha Wars And Raising Of Gurkha Rifles By The Britishers

The British fought against the Gurkhas in the Anglo Gurkha Wars (Nov, 1814 – Mar, 1816), and though victorious , it left them impressed with the sheer resistance and tenacity of the fierce hillmen under their iconic military commander General Amar Bahadur Thapa. Much lesser in numbers, the Gurkhas inflicted some heavy damages on a much more formidable British Army, giving an exhibiting of their bravery.

While the East India Company who were on an expansion mode, faced adversaries like the Sikhs, Afghans, Jats and Marathas, they envisaged a game changing strategy to recruit the ferocious Gurkhas into their army, thus marking the beginning and formation of the much famed Gurkha Rifles regiments. In 1815, The first battalion of the Gurkha Rifles regiment more popularly known as the 'Nasiri regiment' (later become 1st Gorkha Rifles) was raised.

The Gurkhas went onto become the most trusted, dependable fighting force spearheading successful campaigns in the Gurkha-Sikh War, Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars and Indian's rebellion in 1857.

During the World Wars, the Gurkhas turned the tide of various battles fighting for the Commonwealth Armies, deep entrenched into the deadliest of battles in Falkland Islands, Africa, Cyprus, Mesopotamia, Rangoon to name a few .

Fighting under the British flag, Gurkha regiment showcased exemplary bravery during the World Wars, earning 26 Victoria Crosses (the highest war time gallantry award accorded by the erstwhile British forces), the highest by any regiments under the British fold.

The Tripartite Agreement Between India, Nepal and United Kingdom In 1947- Re-organisation and Formation of Gurkha Regiments Serving In Indian Army Post Independence

When India's independence took place in 1947, a major decision had to be made with regards to the Gurkha regiments serving in the erstwhile British Army. So a Tripartite agreement was signed between India, United Kingdom and Nepal; resulting in the original ten Gurkha regiments being split between the British Army and the newly independent Indian Army.

Out of the 10 Gurkha Rifles regiments, four were transferred to the British Army and six formed part of the post independence Indian army. The regiments to join the British Army were 2 GR, 6 GR, 7 GR, and 10 GR.

The regiments which were transferred to Indian Army were 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR , 5 GR, 8 GR, 9 GR. Another Gorkha Rifles regiment was raised post independence from the volunteers (non-optees_ who did not wish to serve with the British Army , thereby raising the 11th Gorkha Rifles (11 GR).

 

Gorkha Rifles Have Won Three Param Vir Chakras

The Gorkha Rifles has the proud distinction of  winning three Param Vir Chakras (PVC) with Captain GS Salaria (3/1 GR) posthumously, Subedar Major Dhan Singh Thapa (3/8 GR), Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey (1/11 GR, posthumously) being the proud recipients of the nation's highest gallantry award.

 Gorkha Rifles Have The Unique Distinction of Producing Three Army Chiefs And One Field Marshal

 The Gorkha Rifles have the honour of producing three Indian Army Chiefs. Former Army Chiefs - General SHFJ Manekshaw (Originally 12th Frontier Force Regiment later transferred to 8 GR), General Dalbir Singh (4/5 GR) and General Bipin Rawat (5/11 GR) were all commissioned into the Gurkha Rifles.

 The 8th Gorkha Rifles has the unique distinction of producing one of the two Field Marshals of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam 'Bahadur' Manekshaw.

General Bipin Rawat Appointed As Indian Army's First Chief Of Defence Staff

The Gorkha Rifles added another path breaking chapter in their glorious regimental history when General Bipin Rawat (Belongs To 5/11 Gorkha Rifles), was appointed as the first ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Army.