Punjab Regiment 20.2.1979

The oldest surviving representative of infantry units is the Punjab Regiment. The Punjab regiment of today has seen many changes of organisation, class composition and nomenclature during its long history. Its four senior battalions were raised between 1761 and 1776. From Coast Sepoys they became Carnatic Battalions, Madras Native Infantry, Madras Infantry, Punjabis, 2nd Punjab Regiment and finally Punjab Regiment.

Originally maned by south Indian Jawans the Regiment is now composed of 50% Sikhs and 50% Dogras. Thus in two centuries the Regiment has covered recruiting grounds ranging from Kanyakumari to Himachal. After Independence, the Regiment welcomed to its fold the veteran Infantry Battalions from the States of Jind, Nabha and Patiala while contributing two of its own senior battalions to the newly raised Parachute regiment and the Brigade of Guards. During the last twenty five years the Regiment has expanded considerably to keep pace with the growing strength of the Army.

During 186 years of its existence before Independence the Regiment fought valiantly in India and overseas and won many battle honours and numerous gallantry awards including a Victoria Cross. Since Independence, the Regiment has fought with its traditional determination and heroism in all the major operations undertaken by the Indian Army. Of its memoriable exploits, the part played by the 15th Battalion (1st patiala) in the Capture of Zojila in October 1948 is outstanding. The unit had pickets at heights of 14,000 ft. One of these, manned by Naik Chet Singh and 13 men was attacked by the enemy with mortars and machine guns. Eight of his Jawans were wounded but Chet Singh and his men fought a seven hour battle with such skill and determination that the raiders retired leaving behind 36 dead. One Punjabi Company located the enemy gun positions and attacked it at the point of the bayonet, killing the entire gun crew and capturing a 3.7 inch mountain gun. For this single operation the battalion was awarded 6 Mahavir Chakras and Vir Chakras. The Regiment has distinguished itself during the Hyderabad Police Action, the Chinese Agression of 1962, and the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971. The honour of capturing the formidable Ichogil Canal in two different sectors during the 1965 operations goes to the soldiers of the Regiment. Among the other acts of valour in the Indo-Pak conflict of 1971, the action of a Punjabi Company in Holding out against the massive tank force at the isolated locality of Longewala will be remembered for ever. The Regiment has Jhangar, Zojila, Dograi, Barki, Kali Dhar and Haji Pir, emblezoned as Battle Honours on its new colours.