286 Medium Regiment (India) Explained

Unit Name:	286 Medium Regiment
Dates:	1985 – present
Country:	India
Allegiance:	India
Branch:	Indian Army
Type:	Artillery
Size:	Regiment
Equipment:	Dhanush 155 mm towed howitzer
Identification Symbol:	286 Med Regt
Identification Symbol Label:	Abbreviation
Nickname:	Kargil Gunners
Motto:	Sarvatra, Izzat-O-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory) व्यावसायिकता, पूर्णता और गर्व (Professionalism, Perfection and Pride)
Colors:	Red & Navy Blue
Battle Honours:	Kargil

286 Medium Regiment is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

Formation and history

The regiment was raised in 1985. The unit was subsequently converted to a field regiment and is now a medium regiment. The regiment consists of 2861, 2862 and 2863 medium batteries.

Equipment

The regiment has used the following guns-

• 130 mm towed guns
• 122 mm D-30 howitzer
• Dhanush 155 mm towed howitzer

Operations

The regiment has taken part in the following operations–

• Operation Vijay – 286 Medium Regiment was part of the unprecedent artillery bombardment which turned the tide of war. It was in support of 121 (Independent) Infantry Brigade,^[1] and was equipped with 130 mm guns.^[2] All the barrels of the 18 guns of the regiment wore out their life in 25 days, continuing their assault operation with new gun barrels from the 163 Medium Regiment.^[3] The regiment was awarded the honour title Kargil in recognition of its valiant efforts.^[4]

Gallantry awards

The regiment has won the following gallantry awards–

• Sena Medals^[5]
  • Lieutenant Sanjay Barshilia
  • Gunner Jagdish Prasad Gupta
• Mentioned in dispatches^[6] –
  • Captain Karnik Ashish Shrikant
  • Gunner Perminder (posthumous)
  • Gunner Y Dixit (posthumous)

Motto

The motto of the regiment is व्यावसायिकता, पूर्णता और गर्व (Professionalism, Perfection and Pride).^[7]

Other achievements

• Havildar Jyothi Shankar D of the regiment represented the Indian Army in the 70th Inter-services athletics championship in 2021–22.^[8]

See also

• List of artillery regiments of Indian Army

Notes and References

1. Book: Singh, Amarinder. 2001. A Ridge Too Far- War in the Kargil Heights 1999 . Motibagh Palace . 978-8193107416. 73.
2. Book: S Ludra, Kuldip. The Kargil strike: A study of the failure of Indian strategic thought. 2000. T.K.S. Ludra. 978-81-901218-9-7. 180.
3. Web site: Kargil War: Air power’s crucial triumph in Indian Military history. 2023-07-24. 2023-10-19.
4. Web site: Topekhana and Random Thoughts. 2020-08-01. 2024-03-19.
5. Web site: Independence Day Gallantry Awards For Operation Vijay. 1999-08-14. 2023-10-19.
6. Book: Mayadas, Lt Gen M. How the Bofors Affair Transformed India, 1989-1999. 1999. Lancer Publishers. 978-1897829646.
7. Web site: Republic Day Parade – 2022. 2022-01-26. 2023-10-19.
8. Web site: Nominal roll. 2021-09-01. 2023-10-19.