History of indian army.

Crest of the Indian
Army Founded1 April 1895; 121 years ago Country India
Type Army Size 1,200,255 active personnel
990,960 reserve personnel
136 aircraft
Part of Indian Armed Forces Headquarters New Delhi motto(s)"Service Before Self"ColorsGold, red and black        Anniversaries15 January –Army DayWebsiteindianarmy.nic.inCommandersChief of the Army Staff (COAS)GeneralBipin Rawat[4]Vice Chief of the Army Staff(VCOAS)Lieutenant GeneralSarath Chand[5]NotablecommandersField Marshal K M CariappaField Marshal Sam ManekshawInsigniaFlagAircraft flownHelicopterHAL RudraTransportHAL Dhruv,HAL Chetak,HAL Cheetah and CheetalTheIndian Armyis theland-based branchand the largest component of theIndian Armed Forces. ThePresident of Indiaserves as theSupreme Commanderof theIndian Army,[6]and it is commanded by theChief of Army Staff(COAS), who is afour-stargeneral. Two officers have been conferred with the rank offield marshal, afive-star rank, which is a ceremonial position of great honour. The Indian Army originated from the armies of theEast India Company, which eventually became theBritish Indian Army, and the armies of the princely states, which finally became the national army afterindependence. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in a number of battles and campaigns across the world, earning a large number ofbattle and theatre honoursbefore and after Independence.[7]The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensurenational securityandnationhood unity,defendingthe nation from external aggression and internal threats, and maintaining peace and security withinits borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances,likeOperation Surya Hope, and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power alongside theIndian Navyand theIndian Air Force.[8]The army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the army includeOperation Vijay,Operation MeghdootandOperation Cactus. Apart from conflicts, the army has conducted large peace time exerciseslikeOperation Brasstacksand Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerousUnited Nations peacekeeping missionsincluding the ones in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador,Liberia, Mozambique and Somalia.The Indian Army has aregimental system, but is operationally and geographically divided into seven commands, with the basic field formation being adivision. It ISA all-volunteer force and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is the 2nd largest standing army in the world, with 1,200,255[1][2]active troops and 990,960 reserve troops.[2]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.
HistoryIndian ArmyHeadquartersNew DelhiHistory and traditionsIndian military historyBritish Indian ArmyIndian National ArmyEquipmentEquipment of the Indian ArmyInstallationsRegimentsExercisesExercisesPersonnelChief of Army StaffRanks and insigniaPara Special ForcesThis box:viewtalkeditBritish Indian ArmyMain article:British Indian ArmyFurther information:List of regiments of the Indian Army (1903)No. 4 (Hazara) Mountain Battery with RML7 pounder "Steel Gun" Mountain Gun in Review Order. Left to right Naick, Havaldar, Subadar (Sikhs) and Gunner (Punjabi Musalman) circa 1895.A Military Department was created within the Government of theEast India CompanyatKolkatain the year 1776. Its main function was to sift and record orders relating to the Army that were issued by various Departments of the EastIndia Company for the territories under its control.[12]With the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of the East India Company was reorganised into four Departments, including a Military Department. The army in the PresidenciesofBengal,Bombay&Madrasfunctioned as respective Presidency Army until April 1895, when the Presidency Armies were unified into a singleIndian Armyon 1 April.[13][14][15][16]For administrative convenience, it was divided into four commands at that point of time, namely Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma) and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).[17]The British Indian Army was a critical force for the primacy of theBritish Empireboth in India and across the world. Besides maintaining the internal security of theBritish Raj, the Army fought in many other theatres –Anglo-Burmese Wars,FirstandSecondAnglo-Sikh Wars,First,SecondandThirdAnglo-Afghan Wars,FirstandSecond Opium Warsin China,Abyssinia,Boxer Rebellionin China.World warsMain articles:Indian Army during World War IandIndian Army during World War IIFrench postcard depicting the arrival of15th Sikh Regiment in France duringWorld War I. The postcard reads,"Gentlemen of India marching to chasten the German hooligans".A Sikh soldier of the 4th Division (the Red Eagles) of the Indian Army, attached to the British Fifth Army in Italy. Holding a captured swastika after the surrender of German forces inItaly, May 1945. Behind him, a fascist inscriptions says "VIVA IL DUCE", "Longlive the Duce" (i.e. Mussolini).In the 20th century, the Indian Army was acrucial adjunct to the British forces in boththeworld wars. 1.3 million Indian soldiersserved inWorld War I(1914–1918) for theAllies, in which 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action.[18]In 1915 there was amutinyby Indian soldiers in Singapore. After the United Kingdom made promises of self-governance to theIndian National Congressin return for its support. Britain reneged on its promises after the war, following which theIndian Independence movementgained strength.The "Indianisation" of the British Indian Army began with the formation of thePrince of Wales Royal Indian Military Collegeat Dehradun in March 1912 with the purpose of providing education to the scions of aristocratic and well-to-do Indian families and to prepare selected Indian boys for admission into theRoyal Military College, Sandhurst. Indian officers given a King's commission after passing out were posted to one of theeight unitsselected for Indianisation. Political pressure being applied due to the slow pace of Indianisation, with just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, led to the formation of theIndian Military Academyin 1932 and greater numbers of officers of Indian origin being commissioned.[19]InWorld War IIIndian soldiers fought for theAllies. In 1939, British officials had no plan for expansion and training of Indian forces, which comprised about 130,000 men (in addition there were 44,000 men inBritish units in India in 1939). Their mission was internal security and defenceagainst a possibleSovietthreat through Afghanistan. As the war progressed, the size and role of the Indian Army expandeddramatically, and troops were sent to battle fronts as soon as possible. The most serious problem was lack of equipment.[20]Indian units served in Burma, where in 1944–45 five Indian divisions were engaged along with one British and three African divisions. Even larger numbers operated in the Middle East. Some 87,000 Indian soldiers died in the war. By the end of the war it had become the largestvolunteer armyin history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945.[21][22]In the African and Middle-Eastern Campaigns, captured Indian troops were given a choice to join theGerman Armyto eventually "liberate" India from Great Britain instead of being sent toPOW camps. These men, along with Indian students who were inGermanywhen the war broke out, made up what was called theFree India Legion. They were originallyintended as pathfinders for German forces in Asia but they soon were sent to help guard theAtlantic Wall. Few who were part of the Free India Legion ever saw any combat and very few were ever stationed outside of Europe. At its height the Free India Legion had over 3,000 troops in its ranks.[23]Indian POWs also joined theIndian National Army, which was allied with theEmpire of Japan, was raised by a former colonel of British Indian Army (Gen) Mohan Singh but later led by NetajiSubhas Chandra BoseandRash Bihari Bose. With the fall of Singapore in 1942, about 40,000 Indian soldiers were captured. They were given a choice and over 30,000 joined theIndian National Army. Those who refused became POWs and were mostly shipped to New Guinea.[24]After initial success it was defeated along with Japanese but it had huge impact on Indian independence movement. Similar organisations were also made in Germany and Japan. In 1946 Indian sailors revolted against British in the1946 British Indian Navy Mutiny.IndependenceUponindependenceand the subsequentPartition of Indiain 1947, four of the tenGurkharegiments were transferred to the British Army. The rest of theBritish Indian Armywas divided between the newly created nations ofIndiaandPakistan. ThePunjab Boundary Force, which had been formed to help police the Punjab during the partition period, was disbanded,[25]and Headquarters Delhi and East Punjab Command was formed to administer the area.Army Dayis celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition ofLieutenant GeneralK. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army fromGeneralSir Francis Butcher, the last BritishCommander-in-Chiefof India, on 15 January 1949.Conflicts and operationsMain article:Military operations of IndiaFirst Kashmir War (1947)Main articles:Indo-Pakistani War of 1947andKashmir conflictImmediately after independence, tensionsbetween India and Pakistan began to boil over, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the thenprincely stateofKashmir. The Maharaja of Kashmir wanted to have standstill position. Since, Kashmir wasMuslimmajority state, Pakistan wanted tomake Kashmir a Pakistan territory. In 1948, Pakistan invaded, Kashmir, as a result,Maharaja Hari Singhappealed to India, and toLord Mountbatten of Burma, the Governor General, for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession to India. It took 2 weeks for Indian forces to reach war front. Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar.[26]This contingent includedGeneral Thimayyawho distinguished himself in the operation and in years that followed, became a Chief of the Indian Army. An intense war was waged across the state and former comrades found themselves fighting each other. Pakistan suffered significant losses. Its forces were stopped on the line formed which is now called LOC (Line of Control).[citation needed]An uneasy UN sponsored peace returned by the end of 1948 with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on theLine of Control, which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan-held Kashmir. A number of UN resolutions (38–47) were passed calling for a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir to determine accession to India or Pakistan.[27]A precondition to the resolution was for Pakistan and India to return to astate of "as was" prior to the conflict. Pakistan would withdraw all tribesmen and Pakistani nationals brought in to fight in Kashmir. With Pakistan refusing to pull back there could be no further dialogue onfulfilling the UN resolution.[28][29]Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never since been entirely eliminated.Annexation of Hyderabad (1948)Major GeneralEl Edroos(at right) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later Army Chief)J.N. ChaudhuriatSecunderabadMain article:Operation PoloAfter the partition of India, theState of Hyderabad, a princely state under the rule of aNizam, chose to remain independent.TheNizam, refused to accede his state tothe Union of India. The following stand-offbetween theGovernment of Indiaand the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948 when India's then deputy prime ministerSardar Vallabhbhai Patelordered Indian troops to secure thestate. With 5 days of low-intensity fighting, the Indian Army, backed by a squadron ofHawker Tempest aircraftof theIndian Air Force, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five infantry battalions and one armoured squadron of the Indian Army were engaged in the operation. The following day, theState of Hyderabadwas proclaimed as a part of theUnion of India. Major GeneralJoyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who led theOperation Polowas appointedthe Military Governor of Hyderabad (1948–1949) to restore law and order.Medical assistance during Korean War (1950–1953)Main article:Korean WarDuring the Korean War, India sent the 60thIndian (Parachute) Field Ambulance unit to aid the UN troops fighting against the Chinese and North Korean invasion of South Korea, though they decided against sending combat forces. The 60th PFA was included in the1st Commonwealth Division. In the aftermath of the war, an Indian infantry brigade formed the Custodian Force of India as part of the soldiers were also sent to Korea as part ofthe Neutral Nations Repatriation Committee to assist in the exchange of prisoners of war. The NNRC was commanded by Lt Gen KS Thimayya.Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)Main article:Portuguese-Indian WarThe Indian Chief of Army Staff, Gen.Pran Nath Thapar(far right) with deposed Governor General of Portuguese IndiaManuel António Vassalo e Silva(seated centre) at a POW facility in Vasco Da Gama,GoaEven though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in theIndian subcontinent, Portugal refused to relinquish control of its Indian colonies ofGoa, Daman and Diu. After repeated attempts by India to negotiate with Portugal for the territory were spurned by Portuguese prime minister and dictator,António de Oliveira Salazar, India launchedOperation Vijayon 12 December1961 to take Goa from the Portuguese. A small contingent of its troops entered Goa, Daman, and Diu to capture and secure the territory. After a brief conflict, in which 31 Portuguese soldiers were killed, thePortuguese NavyfrigateNRP Afonso de Albuquerquedestroyed, and over 3,000 Portuguese captured, Portuguese GeneralManuel António Vassalo e Silvasurrendered to Maj Gen KP Candeth (Kunhiraman Palat Kandoth) of the Indian Army, after twenty-six hours and Goa, Daman and Diu joined the IndianUnion.Sino-Indian War (1962)Main article:Sino-Indian WarThe cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to belong to Kashmir and by China to be partof Xinjiang, contains an important road link that connects the Chinese regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China's construction of this road was one of the triggers of the conflict.Small-scale clashes between the Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputedMcMahon Linebeing regarded as the international border between the two countries. Chinese troops claim to have not retaliated to the cross-border firing by Indian troops, despite sustaining losses.[30]China's suspicion of India's involvement inTibetcreated more rifts between the two countries.[31]In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge located near the border between Bhutan andArunachalPradeshand about three miles (5 km) north of the disputed McMahon Line. Meanwhile, Chinese troops too had made incursions into Indian-held territory and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered a roadconstructed by China inAksai Chin. After a series of failed negotiations, thePeople's Liberation Armyattacked Indian Army positions at the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise and by 12 October, Nehru gave orders for the Chinese to be expelled from Aksai Chin. However, poor co-ordination among various divisions of the Indian Army and the late decision to mobilise the Indian Air Force in vast numbers gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over India. On 20 October, Chinese soldiers attacked India in both the North-West and North-Eastern parts of the border and captured vast portions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.As the fighting moved beyond disputed territories, China called on the Indian government to negotiate, however India remained determined to regain lost territory. With no peaceful agreement in sight, China unilaterally withdrew its forces from Arunachal Pradesh. The reasons for the withdrawal are disputed with India claiming various logistical problems for China and diplomatic support to it from the United States, while China stated that it still held territory that it had staked diplomatic claim upon. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was named theLine of Actual Control.The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and, indeed, its political leadership, raised several questions. TheHenderson-Brooks & Bhagat committeewas soon set up by theGovernment of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. The report of China even after hostilities began and also criticised the decision to not allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines outof fear of Chinese aerial counter-attack onIndian civilian areas. Much of the blame was also targeted at the incompetence of then Defence Minister,Krishna Menonwho resigned from his post soon after the war ended. Despite frequent calls for its release, the Henderson-Brooks report still remains classified.[32]Neville Maxwellhas written an account of the war.[33]Indo-Pakistani War of 1965Main article:Indo-Pakistani War of 1965Destroyed or abandoned Pakistani Patton and Sherman tanks on display near Khem Karan. About 97 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India during theBattle of Asal Uttar.
A second confrontation with pakistan took place in 1965. Although the war is described as inconclusive, India had the better of the war and was a clear winner intactical and strategic terms.
Pakistani PresidentAyub KhanlaunchedOperation Gibraltarin August 1965, duringwhich several Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempt to ignite an anti-India agitation inJammu and Kashmir. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the disastrous Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. India reacted swiftly and launched a counter offensive on Pakistan. Pakistan launchedOperation Grand Slamin reply on 1 September, invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the Indian Army launched a major offensive throughout its border withPakistan, with Lahore as its prime target.Indian Army had captured a Police Station inLahore, Pakistan after winning theBattle of Burkiin the1965 War.[39]It was later on left by them, after signing of theTashkent Declaration.Initially, the Indian Army met with considerable success in the northern sector. After launching prolonged artillery barrages against Pakistan, India was ableto capture three important mountain positions in Kashmir. By 9 September, the Indian Army had made considerable in-roads into Pakistan. India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks when the offensive of Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division was blunted at theBattle of Asal Uttar, which took place on 10 September near Khemkaran.[40]The biggest tank battle of the war came in the form of theBattle of Chawinda, the largest tank battlein history afterWorld War II. Pakistan's defeat at theBattle of Asal Uttarhastenedthe end of the conflict.[40]At the time of ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 3,000 killed. On the other hand, it was estimated that more than 4,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the battle.[41][42][43]About 471 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India. India lost a total of 128 tanks during the conflict.[40][44]The decision to return to pre-war positions, following theTashkent Declaration, caused an outcry among the polity[who?]in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, and not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the UN to stop hostilities.[45]1967 Sino-Indian ConflictMain article:Cho La incidentThe 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish, also known as the Cho La incident, was amilitary conflictbetweenIndiantroops and members of theChinesePeople's Liberation Armywho had infiltrated on 1 October 1967 inSikkim, then a protectorate of India. On 10 October, once again both sides had the conflict, the Defence Minister of India,Sardar Swaran Singhaddressed that government is looking after the developments across theborders. During whole conflict Indian losses were 88 killed, and 163 wounded, while Chinese casualties were 300 killed and 450 wounded inNathula, and 40 in Chola.The end of the battle saw the Chinese Army leave Sikkim after being defeated by Indian troops.
Operation against the Naxalites during 1971In the supervision  under Gandhi during thePresident's rulein 1971, the Indian Army along with theIndian policelaunchedOperation Steeplechase, a gigantic "counter-insurgency" operation against theNaxalites, which resulted in the death of hundreds of Naxalites and imprisonment of more than 20,000 suspects and cadres including senior leaders.[50]The army was also assisted by abrigadeofpara commandosand theIndian paramilitary. The operation was choreographed in October 1969, and Lieutenant GeneralJ.F.R. Jacobwas enjoined by Govind Narain, theHome Secretary of India, that "there should be no publicity and no records" and Jacob's request to be presented with written orders was also repudiate bySam Manekshaw.[51]Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971Main article:Indo-Pakistani War of 1971See also:Battle of Longewala,Battle of Hilli, andBattle of BasantarPakistan's Lt. Gen.A. A. K. Niazisigning theinstrument of surrenderinDhakaon 16 Dec' 1971, in the presenceof India'sLt. Gen. Aurora. Standing behind them are officers of India's Army, Navy and Air Force.An independence movement broke out inEast Pakistanwhich wasbrutally crushedby Pakistani forces. Due to large-scaleatrocitiesagainst them, thousands ofBengalistook refuge in neighbouring Indiacausing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full-support for the Bengali rebels, known asMukti Bahini, and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them.On 20 November 1971, Indian Army moved the 14 Punjab Battalion45 Cavalryinto Garibpur, a strategically important town near India's border with East Pakistan, and successfullycaptured it. The following day, moreclashestook place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, thePakistan Air Force(PAF) launched a preemptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa at 1745 hours on 3 December. This aerial offensive, however, failed to accomplish its stated objectives and gave India its excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by Indian Air Force, launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisive ofbattle of Hilli, which was the only front where the Pakistani Army was able to build up considerable resistance. The operation also included a battalion-level airborne operation on Tangail which resulted in thecapitulation of all resistance within five days.[52]India's massive early gains was largely attributed to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armoured divisions moved across East Pakistan.[53]Indian Army personnel celebrate victory at the endBattle of Basantarontop of a knocked out Pakistani Patton tank.Pakistan launched a counter-attack against India on the western front. On 4 December 1971, the A company of the 23rd Battalion of India'sPunjab Regimentdetected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Brigade of the Pakistani Army near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. Thebattle of Longewalaensued during which the A company, though being outnumbered, thwarted the Pakistani advance until the Indian Air Force directedits fighters to engage the Pakistani tanks. By the time the battle had ended, 38 Pakistani tanks and 100 armoured vehicles were either destroyed or abandoned. About 200 Pakistani troops were killed in action during the battle while only 2 Indian soldiers lost their lives.Pakistan suffered another major defeat on the western front during thebattle of Basantarwhich was fought from 4 December to 16th. By the end of the battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. In return, Pakistani forces were able to destroy only 11 Indian tanks. None of the numerous Pakistani offensives on the Western front materialised.[54]By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizeable territory on both eastern and western fronts.Under the command ofLt. General J.S. Arora, the three corps of the Indian Army, which had invaded East Pakistan, enteredDhakaand forced Pakistani forces to surrender on 16 December 1971, one day after the conclusion of the battle of Basantar. After Pakistan's Lt GeneralA A K Niazisigned the Instrument of Surrender, India took more than 90,000 Pakistaniprisoners of war. At the time of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender,11,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed-in-action while India suffered 3,500 battle-related deaths.[42]In addition, Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle compared to India's 69.[55]In 1972, theSimla Agreementwas signed between the two countries and tensions simmered. However, there were occasional spurts in diplomatic tensions which culminated into increased military vigilance on both sides.Siachen conflict (1984)Main article:Siachen conflictA memorial at the headquarters of theDogra Regimentof the Indian Army in remembrance of members of the regiment who died or served in theSiachen ConflictTheSiachen Glacier, though a part of the Kashmir region, was not officially demarcated on maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides in 1947. As a consequence, prior to the 1980s, neither India nor Pakistan maintained any permanent military presence in the region. However, Pakistanbegan conducting and allowing a series ofmountaineering expeditions to the glacier beginning in the 1950s. By the early 1980s, the government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps deliberately showed Siachen as a part of Pakistan. This practice gave rise tothe contemporary meaning of the termoropolitics.India, possibly irked by these developments, launchedOperation Meghdootin April 1984. An entire battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly and clashes between the two followed. Indian Army secured thestrategicSia LaandBilafond Lamountainpasses and by 1985, more than 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2) of territory, 'claimed' by Pakistan, was under Indian control.[56]The Indian Army continues to control all of theSiachen Glacierand its tributary glaciers. Pakistan made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late 1987, Pakistan mobilised about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them near Khapalu, aiming to capture Bilafond La.[57]However, they were repulsed by Indian Army personnel guarding Bilafond. During the battle, about23 Indian soldiers lost their lives while more than 150 Pakistani troops perished.[58]Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, most notably in Kargil that year.India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region despite extremely inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is regularly cited as an example ofmountain warfare.[59][60]The highest peak in the Siachen glacier region,Saltoro Kangri, could be viewed asstrategically important for India because of its immense altitude which could enable the Indian forces to monitor some Pakistani or Chinese movements in the immediate area.[61]Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad 21,000 feet (6,400 m) above the sea level.[62]In 2004, Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a month to support its personnel stationed in the region.[63]Counter-insurgency activitiesThe Indian Army has played a crucial role in the past, fightinginsurgentsand terrorists within the nation. The army launchedOperation Blue StarandOperation Woodrosein the 1980s to combatSikhinsurgents. The army, along withsome paramilitary forces, has the prime responsibility of maintaininglaw and orderin the troubledJammu and Kashmirregion, led specifically by the Northern Command. The Indian Army alsosent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of theIndian Peace Keeping Force. Allied to the work of the Northern command and its peace time activities is,"North Tech Symposium", an annual event, with an aim to provide viable platform for knowledge diffusion on contemporary military relevant technologies available as Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) worldwide.[64][65][66]The Indian Army also successfully conductedOperation Golden Birdin 1995 for counter-insurgency in northeast India.[67]Kargil war (1999)Main article:Kargil WarIndian soldiers in Batalik duringKargil WarIn 1998, India carried outnuclear testsand a few days later, Pakistan responded by morenuclear testsgiving both countriesnuclear deterrencecapability, although India had tested one hydrogen bomb which Pakistan lacked. Diplomatic tensions eased after theLahore Summitwas held in 1999. The sense of optimism was short-lived, however, since in mid-1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heightsin theKargil districtof India. These had been vacated by the Indian army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were supposed to reoccupied in spring. The regular Pakistani troops who took control of these areas received important support, both in the form of arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included theTiger Hill, overlooked the vitalSrinagar-LehHighway (NH 1A),BatalikandDras. Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realised, the Indian Army quickly mobilised about 200,000 troops andOperation Vijaywas launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was in a clear strategic disadvantage. From theirobservation posts, the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay downindirect artillery fireon NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.[68]This was a serious problem for the Indian Armyas the highway was its main logistical and supply route.[69]Thus, the Indian Army's first priority was to recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH1a. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in Dras.[70]This was soon followed by more attacks on the Batalik-Turtok sub-sector which provided access to Siachen Glacier. Point 4590, which had the nearest view of the NH1a, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on 14 June.[71]Indian soldiers after winning a battle during theKargil WarThough most of the posts in the vicinity ofthe highway were cleared by mid-June, some parts of the highway near Drass witnessed sporadic shelling until the end of the war. Once NH1a area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to driving the invading force back across the Line of Control. TheBattle of Tololing, among other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India's favour. Nevertheless, some of the posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140) that fell only later inthe war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in the posts that were in theline-of-sight. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the outposts manned by the Pakistan soldiers, who were out of visible range. The Indian Armymounted some direct frontal ground assaults which were slow and took a heavy toll given the steep ascent that had to be made on peaks as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost;
according to official count, an estimated 75%–80% of the intruded area and nearly all high ground was back under Indian control.Following the Washington accord on 4 July, where Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt, but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, theUnited Jihad Council(an umbrella for all extremist groups) rejected Pakistan's planfor a climb-down, instead deciding to fighton.[74]The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on26 July. The day has since been marked asKargil Vijay Diwas(Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 per the Shimla Accord. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killedduring the conflict stood at 527,[75]while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani Army were killed.[76]The number of Islamist fighters, also known asMujahideen, killed by Indian Armed Forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.[citation needed]United Nations peacekeeping missionsAn Indian Army officer with a local at theUN mission in Congo, 2000Main article:Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missionsIndia has been the largest troop contributor to UN missions since its inception. So far India has taken part in 43Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 160,000 troops and a significant number of police personnel having been deployed. In 2014 India is the third largest troop contributor [TCC] with 7,860 personnel deployed with ten UN Peacekeeping Missions of which 995 are police personnel, including the firstFemale Formed Police Unitunder the UN.The Indian Army has undertaken numerousUN peacekeeping missions.[78]As of 30 June 2014, 157 Indians havebeen killed during such operations.[79]The Indian army has also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded.Major exercisesSee also:List of exercises of the Indian Armyfor a list of Exercises of the Indian Army.Operation BrasstacksOperation Brasstackswas launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on the western border. The exercise was the largest ever conducted in India and comprised nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured and one air assault division, and included three independent armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with theIndian Navy. Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions withPakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987.[80][81]Exercise AshwamedhaIndian Army tested its network centric warfare capabilities in the exercise Ashwamedha. The exercise was held in the Thar desert, in which over 300,000 troops participated.[82]Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.[83]Yudh AbhyasMain article:India–United_States_relations § Military_relationsPlay mediaYudh Abhyas 2012 – US and Indian Army military exercise Trailer.Exercise Yudh Abhyas is part of an ongoing series of joint exercises between the Indian and United States Armies since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of India-US Defence Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise has graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas is currently underway since 5 March 2012 in two locations under the South Western Command. The US Army contingent is from theUS Army Pacific (USARPAC), part of theUnited States Pacific Command (USPACOM). The Command Post Exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners from both sides, while the Field Training Exercise comprises troops of 2nd Squadron 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army contingent of mechanised infantry. The event is all the more interesting as a number of key surveillance, communications and Improvised Explosive Devices detection and neutralisation technologies, available withboth sides have been fielded in the exercise.[84]The U.S Army soldiers familiarising with the latest INSAS 1B1 during exercise Yudh Abhyas 2015Indian army infantry vehicles during Yudh Abhyas exercisesSgt. BalKrishna Dave, an Indian-born US Army paratrooper assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, explains weapons-range safety procedures to Indian Army soldiers with the 99th Mountain Brigade before they fireAmerican machine guns 4 May 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. They are part of Yudh Abhyas 2013, the latest annual training event between the armies of India and theUnited States, sponsored by US Army Pacific.
The eighth edition of Yudh Abhyas had conducted with The Indian army's 99th Mountain Brigade and the 1st Bde. Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, participated in Yudh Abhyas 2013 exercise atFort Bragg, N.C. Other units represented were the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, from the US forces, andfrom India, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurka Rifles; the 50th Independent Para Bde.; and the 54th Engineers Regt. US Army-Pacific sponsored a bilateral training exercise with the Indian army, 3–17 May 2013, that focused on the two countries' cultures, weapons training and tactics.
Exercise ShaktiExercise Shakti is an ongoing series of joint exercises between the Indian and French armies since 2011. Exercise Shaktiis conducted to practice and validate anti terrorist operations and drills in snowbound and mountainous areas. The second joint military exercise between the two countries was held in September 2013 with the first one being held in India in October 2011. The theme of the exercise is to conduct platoon level joint counter insurgency operations in high altitude mountainous terrain under the UNCharter, thus emphasising the shared concerns of both countries about global terrorism. An added aim of the exercise is to qualitatively enhance knowledge of each other's military procedures thus increasing the scope for interoperability and better responsiveness to a common threat. The twelve-day exercise with France Army is scheduled to be conducted in multiple modules in order to achieve complete integration between the two contingents at every stage.[89][90]Exercise ShoorveerOn first week of April 2012 Indian Army has launched a massive summer exercisein the Rajasthan desert involving over 50,000 troops and several hundred artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles as part of its efforts to shore up its battle worthiness on the western front with Pakistan. The exercise, code-named"Shoorveer", is being conducted by the Jaipur-based South Western Command and will end in the first week of May. This is the largest ever exercise conducted by Indian army since 1947. The collective training started with honing up of basic battle procedures and tactical drills at tactical level. A number of field firings are being carried out to check the accuracy and lethality of the weapon systems. A large number of innovations and modifications carried out by units and formations to enhance combat power are being tested in the field. The troops will build the momentum of training gradually,with increased combat tempo to set the stage for a major joint army-air force exercise in the later part of the exercise.[91]Exercise Rudra AkroshIn May 2012 Indian army start testing the preparedness level of its units and to validate new age technology, battle concepts, organizational structures and networked operations, Western Army Command is conducting its summer training exercises in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Code named Exercise RudraAkrosh, the war games are aimed to validate the operational and transformational effectiveness of various formations under the Western Army Command. The exercise which entered itsculmination phase was also witnessed by Western Army Commander Lt General S R Ghosh. It includes various summer training manoeuvres where approximately20,000 troops tested battle skills with state-of-the-art weapon systems in complete integration of the fighter and transport aircraft pitched in by the Indian Air Force. Besides interacting with the soldiers and officers co-ordinating the wargames, Lt Gen Ghosh witnessed various battle manoeuvres by infantry troops, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery, Heli-borne troops and surveillance equipment. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and attack helicopters were also co-opted in the operational scenario. Recently, the Jaipur-based South Western Command- also known as Sapta Shakti command- conducted its summer war games with more than 50,000 troops, latest weaponry and air assets.[92]Exercise Nomadic ElephantThe Indian Army has been conducting training exercises with theMongolian Army. The first exercise took place in 2004, and these exercises have since been taking place every year. In 2012, the exercise took place inBelgaum, and in June 2013, they were held in Mongolia. The aim of the exercises is to enhance counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, and conduct peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nation.[93][94]Exercise ShatrujeetIn April 2016, Indian Army conducted a major exercise called 'Shatrujeet' by the elite Mathura-based Strike Corps in desertarea of Mahajan field firing range ofRajasthan, wherein the capability to strike, deep into the enemy territory in an integrated air-land battle environment wasevaluated. The focus of the exercise was to achieve joint and seamless co-ordination among all the forces in a nuclear biological chemical warfare scenario so as to deliver the enemy, a lethal punch with full might at a lighteningspeed. The operationally-oriented exercisewas focused on validating integrated theatre battle fighting concept by incorporating new age technologies, weapon platforms and systems as well aslong-range precision targeting vectors. This exercise is in the last phase and on 22 April, army chief D S Suhag is likely to come and review the exercise.[95][96][97]Mission and doctrineSoldiers from the Grenadier Regiment during2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade.The Indian Army began inducting womenofficers in 1992.[98]Picture shows a female Indian Army officer briefing Russian soldiers during a joint exercise in 2015.Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken upthe responsibility of providing internal security, especially against insurgencies inKashmirand theNortheast. The currentcombat 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 anIndian attack, the holding formations would pin enemy forces down whilst the strike formations attack at a point of Indian choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role. Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing itsspecial forcescapabilities. With the role of India increasing and the requirement for protection of India's interest in far off shores become important, the Indian Army and Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.[99]OrganisationIndian Army Structure (click to enlarge)The troops are organized into 35 Divisionswithin 13 Corps. Army headquarters is located in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and it is under the overall command of theChief of Army Staff(COAS).Command structureThe army operates 6 operational commands and 1 training command.[100]Each command is headed byGeneral Officer Commanding-in-Chiefwiththe rank ofLieutenant General. Each command is directly affiliated to the ArmyHQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in their correct order of raising, location (city) and their commanders. There is also theArmy Training Commandabbreviated as ARTRAC. Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as theStrategic Forces CommandandAndaman and Nicobar Command, as wellas institutions likeIntegrated Defence Staff.Command InsigniaCommand NameHeadquartersCommanderSubordinate UnitsHeadquarters, Indian ArmyNew Delhi50th Independent Parachute Brigade–AgraCentral CommandLucknowLt General B S Negi[101]I Corps — Currently assigned to South WesternCommandEastern CommandKolkataLt GeneralPraveen Bakshi[102]*.23rd Infantry Division–Ranchi*.III Corps–Dimapur*.2nd Mountain Division–Dibrugarh*.57thMountain Division–Leimakhong*.56thMountain Division–Zakhama*.IV Corps–Tezpur,Assam*.71stMountain Division–Missamari*.5th Mountain Division–Bomdila*.21stMountain Division–Rangia*.XXXIIICorps–Siliguri,West Bengal*.17thMountain Division–Gangtok*.20thMountain Division–Binnaguri*.27thMountain Division–KalimpongNorthern CommandUdhampurLt GeneralDevraj Anbu[103][104]*.XIV Corps, –Leh*.3rd Infantry Division–Leh*.8th Mountain Division–Dras*.XV Corps, –Srinagar*.19th Infantry Division–Baramulla,*.28th Mountain Division–Gurez*.XVI Corps–Nagrota*.10th Infantry Division–Akhnoor*.25th Infantry Division–Rajauri*.39th Infantry Division–Yol*.10 Artillery brigadeSouthern CommandPuneLt GeneralP M Hariz[105][106]*.41st Artillery Division–Pune*.XII Corps–Jodhpur*.4th Armoured Brigade*.340th Mechanised Brigade*.11th Infantry Division–Ahmedabad*.12th Infantry Division(converting toRAPID)–Jodhpur*.XXI Corps–Bhopal*.31st Armoured Division–Jhansi*.36th RAPID–Sagar*.54th Infantry Division–Hyderabad/Secunderabad*.475th Engineering BrigadeSouth WesternCommandJaipurLt GeneralAbhay Krishna[107][108]*.42nd ArtilleryDivision–Jaipur*.I Corps–Mathura*.4th Infantry Division–Allahabad*.6th Mountain Division–Bareilly*.33rd Armoured Division–Hisar Military Station*.X Corps–Bhatinda*.16th Infantry Division–Sri Ganganagar*.18th RAPID–Kota*.24th RAPID–Bikaner*.6th Independent Armoured Brigade*.615thIndependent Air Defence Brigade*.471stEngineering BrigadeWesternCommandChandimandirLt GeneralSurinder Singh[109][110][111]*.40th Artillery Division–Ambala*.II Corps, –Ambala*.1st Armoured Division–Patiala*.14th RAPIDatDehradun*.22nd Infantry Division–Meerut*.474th Engineering Brigade*.612th Mechanised Independent AirDefence Brigade*.IX Corps, –Yol*.26th Infantry Division–Jammu*.29th Infantry Division–Pathankot*.2nd Independent Armoured Brigade*.3rd Independent Armoured Brigade*.XI Corps, headquartered atJalandhar*.7th Infantry Division–Firozpur*.9th Infantry Division–Meerut*.15th Infantry Division–Amritsar*.23rd Armoured Brigade*.55th Mechanised BrigadeArmy TrainingCommandShimlaLt General D R Soni Combat armsAn Indian Army soldier during an exercise.An Indian Army soldier during an exercise.Soldiers ofSikh Light Infantryduring a shooting practice.Main article:List of regiments of the Indian ArmyNot to be confused with the Field Corps mentioned above, the corps mentioned below are the functional divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks. TheIndian Territorial Armyhas battalions affiliated to different infantry regiments and some department units which are either from the Corps of Engineers, Army Medical Corps or the Army Service corps. They serve as a part-time reserve.NameDirector GeneralCenterArmoured CorpsThe Armoured Corps Centre and School,AhmednagarRegiment of ArtilleryLt General P KSrivastava, VSM[114]The School of Artillery,DevlalinearNasikCorps of Army Air Defence Lt General A K Sahgal, VSM[115]Gopalpur,Odisha.Army Aviation CorpsLt General P K Bharali, VSM[116]Combat Army Aviation Training School,Nasik.Corps of EngineersThe College of Military Engineering, Dapodi,PuneMadras Engineer Group,BangaloreBengal Engineer Group,RoorkeeBombay Engineer Group,KhadkinearPuneCorps of SignalsMilitary College of Telecommunication Engineering(MCTE),MhowTwo Signal Training Centres atJabalpurandGoa.MechanisedInfantryAhmednagarInfantryOrdnance CorpsLt General Amit Sarin AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC[117]SecunderabadInfantrySoldiers of the 99th Mountain Brigade's 2nd Battalion,5 Gorkha Rifles, during Yudh Abhyas 2013.Upon its inception, the Indian Army inherited the British Army's organisational structure, which is still maintained today. Therefore, like its predecessor, an Indian infantry regiment's responsibility is not to undertake field operations but to provide battalions and well trained personnel to the field formations, as such it is commonto find battalions of the same regiment spread across several brigades, divisions, corps, commands, and even theatres. Likeits British and commonwealth counterparts troops enlisted within the regiment are immensely loyal and take great pride in the regiment to which they are assigned and generally spend their entire career within the regiment.Infantry regiments of the Indian Army recruit based on certain selection criteria, such as on regional, ethnicity, or religion such as theAssam Regiment,Jat Regiment, andSikh Regimentrespectively.Most of them continue the heritage of regiments raised under the Raj, but theLadakh Scouts,Arunachal Scouts, andSikkim Scouts, specialised in border defence, have been raised since independence.AJAK LI soldierguarding theIndia Gatewith INSAS rifle.Soldiers of theRajput RegimentSoldiers of theSikh Light InfantrySoldiers of theMadras RegimentOver the years various political and military factions have tried to dissolve the unique selection criteria process of the regiments over a fear that loyalty to the regiment or its ethnic people opposed to loyalty to the union of India and have succeeded somewhat with the creation ofethnic-less, religion-less, non-regional regiments, such as the Brigade of Guards and Parachute Regiment, but have generally met with little success or gainedpopular support amongst the rank and fileJawans.Regiments in order of seniority within the Indian Army are:[118]RegimentRegimental CenterYearBrigade of the Guards[119]Kamptee,Maharashtra1949Parachute RegimentBangalore,Karnataka1945MechanisedInfantry RegimentAhmednagar,Maharashtra1979Punjab RegimentRamgarh Cantonment,Jharkhand1761The Madras RegimentWellington,Udhagamandalam1758The GrenadiersJabalpur,Madhya Pradesh1778Maratha Light InfantryBelgaum,Karnataka1768Rajputana RiflesDelhi Cantonment,New Delhi1775Rajput RegimentFatehgarh,Uttar Pradesh1778Jat RegimentBareilly,Uttar Pradesh1795Sikh RegimentRamgarh Cantonment,Jharkhand1846Sikh Light InfantryFatehgarh,Uttar Pradesh1857Dogra RegimentFaizabad,Uttar Pradesh1877The GarhwalRiflesLansdowne,Uttrakhand1887Kumaon RegimentRanikhet,Uttarakhand1813Assam RegimentShillong,Meghalaya1941Bihar RegimentDanapur Cantonment,Patna,Bihar1941Mahar RegimentSaugor,MadhyaPradesh1941Jammu & Kashmir RiflesJabalpur,Madhya Pradesh1821Jammu & Kashmir Light InfantryAvantipur,Jammu & Kashmir1947Naga RegimentRanikhet,Uttarakhand19701 Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)Sabathu,Himachal Pradesh18153 Gorkha RiflesVaranasi,Uttar Pradesh18154 Gorkha RiflesSabathu,Himachal Pradesh18575 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)Shillong,Meghalaya18588 Gorkha RiflesShillong,Meghalaya18249 Gorkha RiflesVaranasi,Uttar Pradesh181711 Gorkha RiflesLucknow, Uttar Pradesh1918Ladakh ScoutsLeh,Jammu & Kashmir1963Rashtriya Rifles1990Arunachal ScoutsShillong,Meghalaya2010Sikkim Scouts2013ArtilleryPinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcherswere used during theKargil WarTheRegiment of Artilleryis the second largest arm of the Indian Army, constituting nearly one sixth of the Army'stotal strength. Originally raised in 1935 as part of theRoyal Indian Artilleryof theBritish Indian Army, the Regiment is now tasked with providing the Army's towed and self-propelledfield artillery, including guns, howitzers, heavy mortars, rockets, and missiles.As an integral part of nearly all combat operations conducted by the Indian Army, the Regiment of Artillery has a history of being a major contributor to Indian military success. During theKargil War, it was the Indian Artillery that inflicted the most amount of damage.[120]Over the years, five artillery officers have gone on to the Army's highest post as Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.Bofors artillery gunFor some time, the Regiment of Artillerycommanded a significantly larger share of the Army's personnel than it does now, as it was also responsible for air defense artillery and some aviation assets. The 1990s saw the formation of the Corps of Army Air Defence and the coalescing of all aviation assets into the Army Aviation Corps. The arm is now focused on field artillery, and supplies regiments and batteries to each of the operational commands. The home of the Regiment is inNashik,Maharashtra, where their headquarters is located alongwith the service's museum. The School of Artillery of the Indian Army is located nearby in Devlali.After undergoing consistent failures to import or produce modern artillery for three decades,
the Regiment of Artilleryis finally going ahead with procurement of brand new 130-mm and 150-mm artillery guns.
TheArmy is also putting large numbers of rocket launchers into service, with the indigenously-developedPinaka multi barrel rocket launcherto equip 22 regiments by the end of the next decade armour.
There are 97 armoured regiments in the Indian Army. These include the following historic regiments dating back to the nineteenth century or earlier:
1st (Skinner's) Horse, the
2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse),
3rd Cavalry,
4th (Hodson's) Horse,
7th Light Cavalry,
8th Light Cavalry,
9th (Deccan) Horse,
14th (Scinde) Horse,
17th (Poona) Horse,
15th Lancers,
16th Light Cavalry,
18th Cavalry,
20th Lancers, and the 21st (Central India) Horse.
A substantial number of additionalunits designated as either "Cavalry" or"Armoured" Regiments have been raised since Independence.Para (Special Forces)Para Special Forces at theDelhi Republic Day parade.Main article:
Para (Indian Special Forces)Para (Special Forces) is aspecial forcesunit of the Indian Army'sParachute Regimentand is tasked with missions such asspecial operations,direct action,hostage rescue,counter-terrorism,unconventional warfare,special reconnaissance,foreign internal defence,counter-proliferation,counter-insurgency,seek and destroyandpersonnel recovery.