Ladakh Scouts

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Ladakh Scouts
Himalayan Ibex

The Ladakh Scouts is an

Snow Leopards".[3] The regiment specializes in mountain warfare, and its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the Union Territory of Ladakh
.

The Ladakh Scouts were formed in 1963 by spinning off the Ladakhi battalions of the

Ladakhi and Tibetan ethnic communities, and is among the army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honoured with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including a Unit citation, one Ashok Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.[citation needed
]

History

In 1948, the "Nubra Guards" were raised from local Ladakhi warriors to patrol India's mountainous border in the Ladakh region.[4] 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.

Mountaineering Expedition of Zedang Sumpa Battalion of Ladakh Scouts, which scaled five virgin peaks above 6000 metres located in the Central Rimo Glacier, October 2021.

On 1 June 1963, following the

Sino-Indian War of 1962, Col. S.P Salunke formed the Ladakh Scouts 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

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

Main article:
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Units of the regiment have been deployed in combat in every major Indian operation since the

Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 which led to the independence of East Pakistan
.

Operation Meghdoot

Main article: Operation Meghdoot

Troops of the Ladakh Scouts, 4 KUMAON and 19 KUMAON Regiment were deployed to capture the Siachen Glacier in April 1984, as a part of Operation Meghdoot. In these Operations one Coy ex Ladakh Scouts and Coy ex 4 KUMAON were launched to secure Siala and Bilafondla by heliborne Ops and 19 KUMAON less two coys had secured the ridgeline of Gyongla Glacier (Central Glacier Region) in and one coy ex 19 KUMAON secured hieghts of Urdlup Glacier (Southern Glacier region). [5]

Kargil War

Main article: Kargil War

The Ladakh Scouts were one of the first units to be deployed in combat action for

Operation Vijay and display of exemplary valour and grit in the face of the enemy.[3]

Distinctions

The Ladakh Scouts Marching Contingent passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the President's Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts Battalions at Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, Leh, in Jammu & Kashmir on 21 August 2017

Battle honours

  • Turtuk, Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Gallantry awards

Ashoka Chakra recipient:

Maha Vir Chakra recipients:

Among the awards conferred on the soldiers of the Ladakh Scouts are:

Presidential Colours

The high honour of the presentation of presidential colours was given to the regiment on 21 August 2017 by the President of India, who is the constitutional commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ladakh Scouts Relation Result 2020 Declared 23 Feb Result".
  2. ^ "90 young soldiers join Ladakh Scouts Regiment in Leh". 13 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Ladakh Scouts". GlobalSecurity.org.
  4. ^ "Ladakh Scouts". Indian Army.
  5. ^ "Operation Meghdoot". Indian Army.
  6. ^ "Maj Sonam Wangchuk". Indian Army.
  7. ^ "Major Sonam Wangchuk". Indian Army.
  8. ^ "Ladakh Scouts regiment gets President's Colours from Ram Nath Kovind". The Indian Express. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.

External links

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