1. The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles has a unique and distinct identity. It is a truly historic Indian Regiment raised by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra Kingdom in 1820.Amongst all the princely State Forces of India , it was the only one to be absorbed enbloc into the Indian Army as a separate Regiment and did not loose its entity by merger into the existing Regiments of the Army. A second unique feature is that it fought with distinction in both the world wars, not under British officers but its own Indian State Forces officers. Battalions of this Regiment today have a class composition of 75% Dogra, 15% Sikh, 5% Muslim and 5% Gorkhas and have participated with great credit in all the wars fought after independence as also actively engaged in the Counter Insurgency Operations.
2. General Zorawar Singh, also known as `The Little Napoleon of India’ is one of the greatest heroes of this Regiment. He had joined the State Forces in 1823 and rose to be the military Governor of Kishtwar. There he raised a Dogra Army that, assisted in a massive expansion of the state’s territory to include Ladakh, Baltistan, Tibet, Gilgit, Yasin, Darel, Hunza-Nagar, Chilas and Chitral between 1834 and 1885. A major portion of the State Forces participated in the First World War. The Regiment saw action in East Africa, Palestine and Mesopotamia and won the Battle Honours of Megiddo, Nablus, Kilimanjaro, Beho Beho, East Africa, Palestine and Sharon. The personnel of the Regiment were awarded 31 decorations. Immediately after the First World War, the 1st Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Battery and 1st Jammu and Kashmir Infantry participated in the Third Afgan War and was awarded 23 Meritorious Service Medals. During the Second World War, the Regiment saw action in Burma where 23 of its personnel were decorated. Two Battle Honours, Kennedy Peak and Meiktila were awarded to the Regiment.
3. The Regiment saw action immediately after Independence when Pakistan invaded Kashmir. The brave soldiers of the Regiment displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty. It was due to the heroic stand taken by the Late Brigadier Rajinder Singh, MVC at Uri (the first Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India) that the Map of India is what it is today. The Regiment sacrificed 18 Officers, 37 Junior Commissioned Officers, 1194 Other Ranks and 34 non-combatants and won 02 Maha Vir Chakras, 18 Vir Chakras and 52 Mentioned-in-Despatches in the 1947-48 conflict
4. On 18 Mar 1956 a large force of Pakistan Regular Army launched an unprovoked attack against 4th Battalion The Jammu and Kashmir
Rifles then deployed to guard Hussainiwala Headwork. During the clash the enemy suffered heavy casualties and the Regiment was awarded one Ashok Chakra, one Kirti Chakra and one Shaurya Chakra. In this battle the Battalion suffered a loss of 04 killed and 24 wounded.
5. Due to its valiant actions over the years including 1947-48 operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Regiment was amalgamated enbloc into Indian Army on 15 Jan 1957 without any dilution in rank structure and came to be known as Jammu and Kashmir Regiment. In Feb 1963, The Regiment was re-designated as Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. It fought with great distinction in the 1962 War with China, in the 1965 War with Pakistan and the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh. However its finest hour came In 1999 Kargil Operations,when the brave soldiers of the Regiment displayed dogged tenacity, unflinching loyalty, raw courage and sheer determination while evicting the intruders. Two officers and 28 Other Ranks laid down their lives and won two Param Vir Chakras (Late Capt Vikram Batra, PVC and Rfn [now Hav] Sanjay Kumar, PVC) 08 Vir Chakras, 16 Sena Medals, 04 Mentioned-in-Despatches and 08 Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards. Winning two Param Vir Chakaras by a Battalion in a single operation was a Historic feat in itself for which 13th Battalion The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was awarded the “Unit Citation” and “Bravest of the Brave” awarded by Chief of the Army Staff, Battle Honours of Drass & Mushkoh and Theatre Honour of ‘Kargil’.
Honours and Awards
7. Battle Honours.
Pre-Independence
(a) Ladakh - 1834-40
(b) Baltistan - 1840
(c) Tibet - 1841
(d) Gilgit - 1860
(e) Yasin - 1863
(f) Darel - 1866
(g) Hunza and Nagar - 1891-92
(h) Chilas - 1893
(j) Chitral - 1895
(k) Megiddo (World War-I) - 1914-18
(l) Beho-Beho (World War-I) - 1914-18
(m) East Africa (World War-I) - 1914-17
(n) East Africa (World War-I) - 1914-19
(o) Nablus (World War-I) - 1914-18
(p) Sharon (World War-I) - 1914-18
(q) Kilimanjaro - 1914-18
(r) Palestine (World War-I) - 1918
(s) 3rd Afgan War - 1919-20
(t) Kennedy Peak (Burma Front World War-II) -1938-45
(u) Meiktila (Burma Front World War-II) - 1945
Post Independence
(a) Skardu (J&K Ops) - 1947-48
(b) Poonch (J&K Ops) - 1947-48
(c) Asal Uttar (Khem Karan) - 1965
(d) Syam Ganj (Bangladesh) - 1971
(e) Dras -1999
(f) Mushkoh -1999
8. Gallantry Awards
Pre Interdependence
(a) Order of British Empire - 01
(b) Military Cross - 06
(c) Order of British India - 11
(d) Jangi Inam World War-I - 04
(e) Indian Distinguished Service Medal - 30
(f) Military Medal - 09
(g) Indian Meritorious Service Medal - 20
(h) Indian Order of Merit - 24
(j) Member of British Empire - 01
(k) Order of Merit - 01
(l) Mentioned-in-Despatch - 57
(m) Order of St Stanislas with Sword Crass 3 - 01
(Russain)
(n) Order of St George Class 4 (Russain) - 02
(o) Order of Garive-de-Guerre (France) - 01
(p) Coroix La-Legion D’Honour Chevelier - 01
Post Independence
(a) Param Vir Chakra - 02
(b) Ashok Chakra - 02
(c) Padam Bhushan - 01
(d) Param Vishisht Seva Medal - 06
(e) Maha Vir Chakra - 05
(f) Kirti Chakra - 11
(g) Uttam Yudh Seva Medal - 01
(h) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal - 13
(j) Bar to AVSM - 01
(j) Vir Chakra - 44
(k) Shaurya Chakra - 39
(l) Yudh Sev Medal - 06
(m) Sena Medal - 247
(n) Vishisht Seva Medal - 48
(o) Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal - 02
(o) Mention-in-Despatches - 63
(p) Chief of the Army Staff Commendation - 595
Card
(q) Vice Chief of the Army Staff - 31
Commendation Card
(r) Army Commander’s Commendation Card - 339
9. Unit Citation
10. GOC-in-C Unit Appre
REGIMENTAL INFORMATION
9. Colonels of The Regiment (CORs).
(a) Lt Gen KS Katoch, Padma Bhushan, MC - 30 Mar 60 to 22 Nov 74
(b) Lt Gen GS Rawat, PVSM, AVSM - 23 Nov 74 to 31 Dec 84
(c) Maj Gen RK Sood - 01 Jan 85 to 31 Dec 89
(d) Lt Gen GL Bakshi, PVSM - 01 Jan 90 to 31 Jul 94
(e) Lt Gen SS Grewal, PVSM, AVSM, - 01 Aug 94 to SM, VSM 30 Apr 02
(f) Lt Gen Susheel Gupta, AVSM, YSM - 01 May 02 to 31 Jan 08
(g) Lt Gen BS Jaswal, PVSM, AVSM**, VSM - 01 Feb 08 to date
10. Regimental Centre.
(a) Jammu (Satwari) - 1932 – 1957
(b) Gwalior (Morar) - 1958 – 1975
(c) Jabalpur - 1975 onwards
11. Regimental Reunion. Regiment celebrates its Reunion every four years where the retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of the Regiment get to interact with the present lot. First Reunion was held at Jammu in 1968. 11th Reunion is now due in Nov 10 at The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment Centre, Jabalpur.
