861 Missile Regiment (India) Explained

Unit Name:861 Light Regiment
Dates:1963 – present
Country: India
Allegiance:India
Branch: Indian Army
Type: Artillery
Size:Regiment
Identification Symbol Label:Abbreviation
Motto:Sarvatra Izat O Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory)
Colors:"Red & Navy Blue"
Decorations:Sena Medal 1
COAS Commendation Card 4
VCOAS Commendation Card 7
GOC-in-C Commendation Card 9

861 Light Regiment (Laleali & Picquet 707) is a light equipped regiment which is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

History

Formation

861 Regiment (Laleali & Picquet 707) traces its origin from the Border Scouts Battalion. It was raised as the 863 Light Battery by amalgamating a nucleus of 121 (Independent) Heavy Mortar Battery (Congo) and a battery of 35 Heavy Mortar Regiment on 20 June 1963. Lieutenant Colonel Sewa Ram was the first Commanding Officer. 86 Light Regiment was eventually formed with three batteries – 121 Heavy Mortar Battery, 862 Light Battery and 863 Light Battery.[1] This eventually evolved to become the 861 Light Regiment.

Operations

United Nations Operation in the Congo121 Heavy Mortar Battery participated in the Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo under 99 Infantry Brigade.[2] [3]
  • Indo-Pak War (1965)
  • 86 Light Regiment participated in Operation Ablaze and Operation Riddle.
    Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
  • The Regiment provided fire power to 28 Infantry Brigade of 10 Infantry Division in the Battle of Chamb. The devastating shelling by the Regiment on 3 and 4 December 1971 helped beat back the attack on Picquet 707. The shelling on 6 and 7 December 1971 similarly prevented the attack on Laleali.[4] The Regiment along with 8 Jammu and Kashmir Militia (now Light Infantry) were awarded the battle honours Laleali and Picquet 707.[5] [6] [7]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: 861-missile-regiment . 2024-11-29. 2013-06-20.
    2. Book: Sharma, SK. Indian Army: United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. 1997. Lancer Publishers. 978-1897829011. 28.
    3. Web site: Congo – First African War And Indian Soldiers (1960-64).doc. 2020-10-21.
    4. Book: Singh, Jagjit . Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971. 1994. Spantech & Lancer. 978-1897829554. 76-100.
    5. Book: Khullar, Darshan . Themes of Glory: Indian Artillery in War. 2017. VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd. 978-9385563973.
    6. Book: Chandar, Col Y Udaya. Independent India's All the Seven Wars. 2018. Notion Press. 978-1948473217.
    7. Web site: Hindustan Times article "Sitrep - A commander who led from the front" . 2017-03-26 . 2020-10-21.

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