JAK Rifles celebrates 150 yrs

Our Correspondent

Dalhousie, April 16

The four-day sesquicentennial (150 years) jubilee celebrations of the First Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (Raghupartap), held at the Dalhousie Military Station, concluded on Friday.

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Colonel of the Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts, was the chief guest.

“The battalion was raised by Maharaja Ranbir Singh on April 13, 1873, at Satwari Lines in Jammu. The battalion has the unique distinction of participating in both World Wars, under the leadership of Indian-origin officers,” said Lt General Dwivedi.

Raghupartap’s contribution to various wars around the world was recognised with five battle honours — Hunza and Nagar (1891-92), Megiddo (1914-18), Nablus (1914-18), Palestine (1914-18) and 3rd Afghan War (1919-20). Post-Independence, during 1947-48, the battalion earned the title of ‘Saviours of Poonch’ for valiant action in the Battle of Poonch and was awarded the Battle Honour of Poonch and the Theatre Honour of J&K.

During the 1971 war with Pakistan, Raghupartap’s gallant action in the Battle of Syamganj was pivotal in the liberation of Bangladesh and the battalion was recognised with the Battle Honour of Syamganj and the Theatre Honour of East Pakistan. The battalion thereafter has proved its mettle in various low-intensity conflict operations in J&K and the northeast.

The celebrations were conducted with full military traditions, grandeur and fervour. The mega-event was marked with an attendance of over 600 guests, including veterans, gallantry award winners and ‘Veer naris’ along with their family members.

The event was inaugurated with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to the bravehearts of the unit. As a mark of respect and gratitude, veterans, war heroes and ‘Veer naris’ of the battalion were felicitated.