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5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
Encyclopedia
The 5 Gorkha Rifles is an infantry
regiment
of the Indian Army
comprising Gurkha
soldiers of Nepalese
origin. It was formed in 1858 as part of the British Indian Army
and served in the First World War and Second World War. The regiment was one of the Gorkha regiments that was transferred to the Indian Army following independence in 1947. The regiment was formerly known as the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force). Since 1947, the regiment has served in a number of conflicts, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
. It has also participated in peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka.
and in 1861 it was renamed the 5th Gurkha Regiment.
The regiment's first major action was during the Second Afghan War, where they were awarded their first battle honour at Peiwar Kotal
and Captain John Cook
was awarded the Victoria Cross
. In 1891 the regiment was afforded the prestigious title of a Rifle regiment and became 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment which was shortened to 5th Gurkha Rifles in 1901.
The regiment spent most of its time up to the end of the 19th century based in the Punjab
as part of the Punjab Frontier Force, more famously known as PFF or Piffers. This was reflected when in 1903, when the regiment was renamed the 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
During the First World War, the regiment primarily saw service in the Middle East
— the 1st Battalion saw extensive service at Gallipoli
in 1915 (where 7 officers and 129 men were killed in the first few hours after the battalion landed). During the withdrawal, the last troops to leave was a company
of the 5th Gurkhas.
The 2nd Battalion saw service in Mesopotamia
, initially with the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division
and from April 1916 with the 15th Division
. The 1st Battalion joined them in March 1917 from the 1st (Peshawar) Division
and both battalions fought together at the Action of Khan Baghdadi
. A 3rd Battalion was raised for service on the North-West Frontier
, before being disbanded in 1921.
During the Second World War, the 1st Battalion 5th Gurkhas as part of the 8th Indian Infantry Division's 17th Indian Infantry Brigade
served in the Middle East campaign and the Italian Campaign
. Rifleman Thaman Gurung
of the 1st Battalion won the Victoria Cross
while serving in Italy.
The 2nd Battalion served in the Far East
in the Burma Campaign
as part of the 17th Indian Infantry Division and was involved in the retreat of the British Indian Army
from Burma, they were one of four battalions chosen to fight as the rearguard at the Sittang River
, which formed the border with India. When the bridge over the river was blown up preventing the Japan
ese forces from entering India, many of the regiment were left on the wrong side. The regiment was involved in the re-entry into Burma in 1943 where three members of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross
. After the war, the 2nd Battalion was re-issued with new uniforms, equipment and transport and posted to Tokyo
in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
.
The 4th Battalion was raised in 1941 and also served in the Burma Campaign as part of the 7th Indian Infantry Division, fighting in five epic battles at North Arakan, Buthidaung (Battle of the Admin Box
), Kohima, Pokkoku (Irrawaddy) and Sittang. The Battalion had the unique distinction of getting four Battle Honours for the five battles fought. Major I M Brown of the 4th Battalion was one of the few soldiers of the Second World War that was awarded the Military Cross
three times.
, including the first Heliborne operations undertaken by the army during the 1971 war.
The Regiment has participated in the following actions:
The 4th Battalion was also a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
which served in Sri Lanka and fought with LTTE. This is where Lt Col Bawa was injured and later died, with many of his officers and soldiers.
1861–1891 — 5th Gurkha Regiment
1891–1901 — 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment
1901–1903 — 5th Gurkha Rifles
1903–1950 — 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
1950–present — 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
comprising Gurkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
soldiers of Nepalese
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
origin. It was formed in 1858 as part of the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
and served in the First World War and Second World War. The regiment was one of the Gorkha regiments that was transferred to the Indian Army following independence in 1947. The regiment was formerly known as the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force). Since 1947, the regiment has served in a number of conflicts, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. It has also participated in peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka.
19th Century
The regiment was raised in 1858 as the 25th Punjab Infantry. The soldiers of the regiment originated from the Kingdom of NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and in 1861 it was renamed the 5th Gurkha Regiment.
The regiment's first major action was during the Second Afghan War, where they were awarded their first battle honour at Peiwar Kotal
Battle of Peiwar Kotal
The Battle of Peiwar Kotal was fought on November 28-29 1878 between British forces under Sir Frederick Roberts and Afghan forces under Karim Khan, during the opening stages of the Second Anglo-Afghan War...
and Captain John Cook
John Cook (VC)
Major John Cook VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. In 1891 the regiment was afforded the prestigious title of a Rifle regiment and became 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment which was shortened to 5th Gurkha Rifles in 1901.
The regiment spent most of its time up to the end of the 19th century based in the Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
as part of the Punjab Frontier Force, more famously known as PFF or Piffers. This was reflected when in 1903, when the regiment was renamed the 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
First World War
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
— the 1st Battalion saw extensive service at Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
in 1915 (where 7 officers and 129 men were killed in the first few hours after the battalion landed). During the withdrawal, the last troops to leave was a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of the 5th Gurkhas.
The 2nd Battalion saw service in Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
, initially with the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division
2nd (Rawalpindi) Division
The 2nd Division was a regular army division of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1903 after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period...
and from April 1916 with the 15th Division
15th Indian Infantry Division
The 15th Indian Division was a formation of the British Indian Army, operational from 1916 to 1919.The division was formed on 7 May 1916 on the Euphrates Front in Mesopotamia, as a replacement for 12th Indian Division. It served throughout the war on the Euphrates Front, and was formally disbanded...
. The 1st Battalion joined them in March 1917 from the 1st (Peshawar) Division
1st (Peshawar) Division
The 1st Division was a Regular Division of the British Indian Army it was formed after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army in 1903. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period.The...
and both battalions fought together at the Action of Khan Baghdadi
Action of Khan Baghdadi
The Action of Khan Baghdadi was an engagement during the Mesopotamian Campaign in World War I.The 15th Indian Division had been at Ramadi since its capture of the town in September 1917...
. A 3rd Battalion was raised for service on the North-West Frontier
North-West Frontier (military history)
The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
, before being disbanded in 1921.
Inter-War Period
In 1921, the regiment was given the title the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles, in recognition of its service during the war. During the inter-war period, the regiment received three further battle honours, for the Third Afghan War in 1919, and two for service on the North West Frontier. The regiment together with the 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers were the only units awarded such honours.Second World War
17th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 17th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in November 1940, at the Delhi Cantonment in India and assigned to the 8th Indian Infantry Division. They were sent to participate in the Anglo-Iraqi War and the Syria-Lebanon Campaign...
served in the Middle East campaign and the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. Rifleman Thaman Gurung
Thaman Gurung
Thaman Gurung VC was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
of the 1st Battalion won the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
while serving in Italy.
The 2nd Battalion served in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
as part of the 17th Indian Infantry Division and was involved in the retreat of the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
from Burma, they were one of four battalions chosen to fight as the rearguard at the Sittang River
Sittang River
The Sittaung is a river in south central Myanmar in Bago Division. The Pegu Range separates its basin from that of the Irrawaddy. The river originates at the edge of the Shan Plateau southeast of Mandalay, and flows southward to the Gulf of Martaban...
, which formed the border with India. When the bridge over the river was blown up preventing the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese forces from entering India, many of the regiment were left on the wrong side. The regiment was involved in the re-entry into Burma in 1943 where three members of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. After the war, the 2nd Battalion was re-issued with new uniforms, equipment and transport and posted to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
British Commonwealth Occupation Force
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, Canadian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952...
.
The 4th Battalion was raised in 1941 and also served in the Burma Campaign as part of the 7th Indian Infantry Division, fighting in five epic battles at North Arakan, Buthidaung (Battle of the Admin Box
Battle of the Admin Box
The Battle of the Admin Box took place on the Southern Front of the Burma Campaign from 5 February to 23 February 1944, in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II...
), Kohima, Pokkoku (Irrawaddy) and Sittang. The Battalion had the unique distinction of getting four Battle Honours for the five battles fought. Major I M Brown of the 4th Battalion was one of the few soldiers of the Second World War that was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
three times.
Post Independence
On Independence, the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles was one of the six Gurkha regiments that remained part of the new Indian Army, they were renamed the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in 1950. The Regiment now has a total of six Battalions and has, participated in virtually every major action the Indian Army has undertaken in its four wars with PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, including the first Heliborne operations undertaken by the army during the 1971 war.
The Regiment has participated in the following actions:
- Indo-Pak War of 1947-48
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1965Indo-Pakistani War of 1965The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
- Battle of Topa (Jammu and Kashmir)
- Battle of AtgramBattle of AtgramThe Battle of Atgram Complex, fought on 21 November 1971 between the 5 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and the 31 Punjabs of the Pakistan Army, was one of the first engagements between the two opposing forces that preceded the formal initiation of hostilities of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and...
(East Pakistan) 1971 - Battle of SylhetBattle of SylhetThe Battle of Sylhet was a major battle fought between the advancing Mitro Bahini and the Pakistani defences at Sylhet during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The battle took place 7 December and 15 December and was the Indian Army's first heliborne operation....
(East Pakistan) 1971 - Battle of GazipurBattle of GazipurThe Battle of Gazipur was a battle that took place between the advancing Indian Army and the defending 22 Baluch Regiment of the Pakistan Army between 4th and 5 December 1971 in the opening stages of the eastern campaign of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The site of the battle was the Gazipur Tea...
(East Pakistan - Banglasdesh) 1971
The 4th Battalion was also a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990...
which served in Sri Lanka and fought with LTTE. This is where Lt Col Bawa was injured and later died, with many of his officers and soldiers.
Lineage
1858–1861 — 25th Punjab Infantry1861–1891 — 5th Gurkha Regiment
1891–1901 — 5th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment
1901–1903 — 5th Gurkha Rifles
1903–1950 — 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
1950–present — 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
Battle honours
- 19th Century: Peiwar KotalSecond Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, CharasiahSecond Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, Kabul 1879Second Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, Kandahar 1880Second Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, Afghanistan 1878–80Second Anglo-Afghan WarThe Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, Punjab Frontier; - First World War: Suez CanalFirst Suez OffensiveThe First Suez Offensive took place between the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I...
, Egypt 1915–16Sinai and Palestine CampaignThe Sinai and Palestine Campaigns took place in the Middle Eastern Theatre of World War I. A series of battles were fought between British Empire, German Empire and Ottoman Empire forces from 26 January 1915 to 31 October 1918, when the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Ottoman Empire and...
, Khan Baghdadi, Mesopotamia 1916–18Mesopotamian CampaignThe Mesopotamian campaign was a campaign in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I fought between the Allies represented by the British Empire, mostly troops from the Indian Empire, and the Central Powers, mostly of the Ottoman Empire.- Background :...
, Helles, KrithiaBattle of KrithiaDuring the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, several battles were fought near the village of Krithia. The village was an objective of the first day of the landing, 25 April 1915. Over the following months, invading British Empire and French troops, who had landed near Cape Helles at the end of the...
, Suvla, Sari BairBattle of Sari BairThe Battle of Sari Bair , also known as the August Offensive, was the final attempt made by the British in August 1915 to seize control of the Gallipoli peninsula from the Ottoman Empire during First World War.The Battle of Gallipoli had raged on two fronts, Anzac and Helles, for three months since...
, Gallipoli 1915, North West Frontier 1917North-West Frontier (military history)The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
; - Inter War Years: Afghanistan 1919Third Anglo-Afghan WarThe Third Anglo-Afghan War began on 6 May 1919 and ended with an armistice on 8 August 1919. It was a minor tactical victory for the British. For the British, the Durand Line was reaffirmed as the political boundary between the Emirate of Afghanistan and British India and the Afghans agreed not to...
, North West Frontier 1930North-West Frontier (military history)The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
, North West Frontier 1936–39North-West Frontier (military history)The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
; - Second World War: The Sangro, CaldariCaldariCaldari is a frazione of the municipality of Ortona in the Province of Chieti in Abruzzo, Italy....
, CassinoCassinoCassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers...
II, San Angelo in Teodice, Rocca d'ArceRocca d'ArceRocca d'Arce is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 100 km southeast of Rome and about 20 km southeast of Frosinone....
, Ripa Ridge, Femmina Morta, Monte San BartoloMonte San BartoloMonte San Bartolo is a mountain located in the Marche region of Italy. The mountain forms part of the Parco naturale regionale del Monte San Bartolo, a regional park of Italy. The mountain forms the beginning of the coastal hill system in the centre of Italy. This system follows the beaches of the...
, The Senio, Italy 1943–45Italian Campaign (World War II)The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, Sittang 1942Battle of Sittang BridgeThe Battle of Sittang Bridge was part of the Burma campaign in World War II. Fought between 19 February and 23 February 1942, the battle was a decisive victory for Japan, with heavy losses for the British Indian Army, which was forced to retreat in disarray...
, YenangyaungYenangyaungYenangyaung is a city in Magway Division, Myanmar, on the Irrawaddy River.-History:For centuries, the dominant industry in the area has been petroleum. It began as an indigenous oil industry, with hand-dug wells, and from 1755 onwards, early British soldier-diplomats began to note its existence...
1942, ButhidaungButhidaungButhidaung is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. It is the administrative seat of Buthidaung Township. It lies on the west bank of Mayu river. Flood hit in July 2011.-External links:*...
, Stockades, North Arakan, Chindits 1944, MogaungMogaungMogaung is a town in Kachin State, Myanmar. It is situated on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway line.-External links:* Falling Rain Genomics, Inc.* Maplandia.com...
, ImphalImphalImphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
, Sakawng, Shenam Pass, Bishenpur, The IrrawaddyThe IrrawaddyThis article is about a newsmagazine. For other uses of the term, please see Irrawaddy.For the Second World War battle honour, see Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations...
1942–45, Sittang 1945Burma Campaign 1944-1945The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, who were assisted to some degree by Thailand, the Burmese Independence Army and the Indian National Army...
, Burma 1942–45Burma CampaignThe Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
; - Post Independence: Zoji LaIndo-Pakistani War of 1947The India-Pakistan War of 1947-48, sometimes known as the First Kashmir War, was fought between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu from 1947 to 1948. It was the first of four wars fought between the two newly independent nations...
, Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir 1947–48Kashmir conflictThe Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
, CharwaIndo-Pakistani War of 1965The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, Punjab 1965Indo-Pakistani War of 1965The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, SylhetBattle of SylhetThe Battle of Sylhet was a major battle fought between the advancing Mitro Bahini and the Pakistani defences at Sylhet during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The battle took place 7 December and 15 December and was the Indian Army's first heliborne operation....
, East Pakistan 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
, Jammu and Kashmir 1971Kashmir conflictThe Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
, Shehjra, Punjab 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
.
Victoria Cross Recipients
There were seven Victoria Crosses awarded to British officers and Gurkhas serving with the regiment prior to 1947:- Captain John CookJohn Cook (VC)Major John Cook VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
— Afghanistan, 2 December 1878 - Lieutenant Guy Boisragon — Hunza, 2 December 1891
- Lieutenant John Manners-SmithJohn Manners SmithLieutenant Colonel John Manners Smith VC CIE CVO was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
— Hunza, 20 December 1891 - Havildar Gaje GhaleGaje GhaleGaje Ghale VC was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
— Burma, 27 May 1943 - Naik Agansing RaiAgansing RaiAgansing Rai VC, MM was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
— Burma, 26 June 1944 - Jemadar Netra bahadur ThapaNetrabahadur ThapaNetrabahadur Thapa VC was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
— Burma, 26 June 1944 - Riflemann Thaman GurungThaman GurungThaman Gurung VC was a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
— Italy, 10 November 1944
Maha Vir Chakra Receipients
- Lieutenant Colonel Anant Singh Pathania, MC
- L/Havildar Ram Prasad Gurung
- Major General H K Sibal
- Brigadier Z C Bakshi
- Brigadier M L Whig
- Lieutenant Colonel (Later Brigadier) Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
- Rifleman (Later Havildar) Dil Bahadur Chettri
- Lieutenant Colonel Inder Bal Singh Bawa {Posthumous}