89th Armoured Regiment (India) explained

Unit Name:89 Armoured Regiment
Dates:1980–present
Country: India
Allegiance:India
Branch: Indian Army
Type:Armoured Corps
Size:Regiment
Equipment:T-72 tanks [1]
Colonel Of The Regiment:Lt Gen Alok Singh Kler, PVSM, VSM[2]
Notable Commanders:Lt Gen Anil Chait, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Lt Gen Anil Bhalla PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Identification Symbol:89 Armd Regt
Identification Symbol Label:Abbreviation
Nickname:Bragenar
Motto:“Veerta Ya Veergati”
वीरता या वीरगति
Colors:Red, Black and Gold

89 Armoured Regiment is an armoured regiment of the Indian Army.

Formation

89 Armoured Regiment was raised on 1 February 1980 at Ahmednagar under the command of Lt Col KL Bakshi based on a ‘mixed class composition’ with manpower drawn from existing Armoured Regiments. It was equipped with Vijayanta tanks.

History

After its formation, the Regiment was moved under the Headquarters of the 39 Infantry Division at Yol. In January 1987, the Regiment was deployed to participate in Operation Trident, followed by a counter-insurgency tenure as part of Operation Rakshak I.[3] In 1992, the Regiment joined the 16 Infantry Division based in Sri Ganganagar. This was followed by a second counter-insurgency tenure as part of Operation Rakshak in 1996. The Regiment was mobilised again as part of Operation Parakram in 2001 under 14 Infantry Division. In 2005, the Regiment moved to join 3 Independent Armoured Brigade under IX Corps.[4]

The Regiment was awarded the GOC-in-C (South Western Command) Unit Citation for its performance between 2008 and 2012, while serving in Ranchi as part of the 23 Infantry Division. The Regiment has also won 4 Sena Medals, 13 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 31 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.[5]

The Regiment was presented the ‘President's Standards’ at Namkum Military Station in 2013 by General Bikram Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, on behalf of the President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee.[6]

Equipment

The Vijayanta tanks were replaced by the T-72 tanks in 1997, which the Regiment continues to use.

Regimental Insignia

The Regimental badge (since 1983) comprises two crossed swords overlaid by the Vijayanta tank and the numeral 89 with a scroll added at the base with the regimental motto (Veerta Ya Veergati) inscribed in Devanagari script on it. The shoulder title consists of the numeral "89" in brass.[7]

The Regimental motto is “Veerta Ya Veergati” which means “Victory or Martyrdom”. The Colours of the Regiment are Red, Black and Gold.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: '23 Infantry div gets President Standard' at timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2013-12-01. 2020-10-11.
  2. Web site: Gazette notification. 2016-03-12. 2020-10-11.
  3. Web site: 89 Armoured Regiment - Indian Army Postal Cover . 2020-10-13.
  4. Web site: 89 Armoured Regiment - Presidents-Standards at dailypioneer.com. 2013-12-01. 2020-10-11.
  5. Web site: 89 Armoured Regiment - Presidents-Standards at dailypioneer.com. 2013-12-01. 2020-10-11.
  6. Web site: 89 Armoured Regiment - Presidents-Standards . 2013-12-02 . 2020-10-11.
  7. Web site: 89 Armoured Regiment - Indian Army Postal Cover . 2020-10-13.