97 Field Regiment (India) Explained

Unit Name:	97 Field Regiment
Dates:	1963 – present
Country:	India
Allegiance:	India
Branch:	Indian Army
Type:	Artillery
Size:	Regiment
Equipment:	105 mm Indian field gun
Identification Symbol:	97 Fd Regt
Identification Symbol Label:	Abbreviation
Nickname:	Bunker busters
Motto:	Sarvatra, Izzat-O-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory)
Colors:	Red & Navy Blue
Anniversaries:	1 August – Raising Day

97 Field Regiment is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

Formation and history

The regiment was raised as 97 Composite Regiment on 1 August 1963 at Namkum, Ranchi district. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Jagjit Singh and the unit was equipped with 3.7 inch howitzers and 120 mm Brandt mortars.^[1] The regiment was subsequently converted to a mountain regiment, a field regiment and a medium regiment. It is presently designated back as a field regiment.

It has used varied equipment including 3.7 inch howitzers, 120 mm mortars, 25-pounders, 75/24 Pack Howitzers, 105/37 mm Indian field guns, 105/37 mm light field guns and the 155/45 mm Soltam guns (which is a 155 mm upgraded version of M-46 Field Gun by Soltam Systems).^[1]

Class composition

The regiment is a single class regiment with Ahir troops.^[1]

Operations

The regiment has taken part in the following operations –

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965The regiment took part in Operation Ablaze soon after its raising and thus had its baptism with fire.^[1]

Nathu La and Cho La clashes97 Field Regiment lost six soldiers in the Nathu La clashes in September 1967 with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).^[1] Gunner Ram Kewal, Gunner Rangaraj Naidu, Lance Naik Nitya Nand, Gunner Satbir Singh and Gunner Jai Singh were killed on 13 September 1967 and Gunner Jagat Singh on 14 September 1967.^[2]

Indo-Pakistani War of 197197 Mountain Regiment equipped with 75/24 Pack Howitzers saw action during Operation Cactus Lily in the Eastern Sector. It saw action in the North Western sector of the Bangladesh liberation. It was part of the 340 Mountain Brigade Group (of 20 Mountain Division under XXXIII Corps).^{[3] [4]} The unit also took part in the Battle of Hilli (or Battle of Bogura).^{[5] [6]} During the operations, Gunner (ORA) Dudh Nath was awarded the Sena Medal. Gunner Jag Ram was killed in action.^[7]

Internal security dutiesThe regiment was involved in providing support to the civil authorities during the 1979 riots in Jamshedpur. It was awarded one Shaurya Chakra and one Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card.^[1]

Counterterrorism operationsThe regiment was involved in counterterrorism operations in Assam as part of Operation Rhino and during Operation Rakshak between 2014 and 2017.^[1] Captain Pramod Raghavendra Jalwadi of the unit was killed in Awantipora in October 2006.^{[8] [9]}

Other operations

• Operation Parakram^[1]
• Operation Meghdoot^[1]
• Operation Snow Leopard.

Gallantry awards

The regiment has won the following gallantry awards:^[1]

• Shaurya Chakra – 1 (Captain Subir Kumar Mookerjee)^[10]
• Sena Medal – 4 (Captain SK Sood,^[11] Gunner Dudh Nath,^[12] Major Saurabh Tiwari,^[13] Lieutenant Colonel Malkiat Singh).
• Mentioned in despatches – 1 (Operator Keshav Singh)
• Commendation cards – 4^{[1] [14] [15] [16]}
• Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation in 2018 for Operation Rakshak during 2014-17
• Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Unit Citation in September 2022.^{[17] [18]}
• Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Appreciation in 2022 for Operation Snow Leopard.

Achievements in sports

• Naib Subedar Ram Singh Yadav – Marathon (participated in London Olympics 2012, World Military Marathon 2014 And World Military Games 2011.^{[19] [20]}
• Subedar Raj Kumar Yadav – Rowing (Asian Junior Rowing 2003, 10th Asian Junior Rowing 2005, Senior World Rowing 2005, Senior 11th Rowing 2005, 25th Open National Rowing 2005)

See also

• List of artillery regiments of Indian Army

Notes and References

1. Web site: 97 Medium Regiment Golden Jubilee APO postal cover. 2015-09-03. 2022-10-19.
2. Web site: Amar-Jawan - A database of Indian Armed Forces Martyrs 1947-1997. 2022-10-31.
3. Book: Wahab, Major General ATM Abdul. Mukti Bahini Wins Victory - Military Oligarchy Divides Pakistan in 1971. Pan Pacific Venture . 2004. 317. 978-9847130446.
4. Web site: Indian Army deployment in Bangladesh. 2022-10-29.
5. Web site: Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II. 2022-10-29.
6. Web site: My Memories of War – Battle of Hilli. 2012-09-28. 2022-10-31.
7. Web site: 1971 Martyrs. 2022-10-31.
8. Web site: Remembrance Of Heroes 2006. 2022-10-31.
9. Web site: Martyrs. 2022-10-31.
10. Web site: Gazette of India, No 21, page 397. 1980-05-24. 2022-11-01.
11. Web site: Gunners’ Day turns nostalgic. 2012-09-30. 2024-05-31.
12. Web site: Gazette of India, No, page 299. 1974-09-03. 2024-05-31.
13. Web site: 440 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations Announced. 2011-01-25. 2024-05-31.
14. Web site: COAS Commendation Card. 2016-08-15. 2022-10-31.
15. Web site: COAS Commendation Card. 2017-08-15. 2022-10-31.
16. Web site: COAS Commendation Card. 2020-01-15. 2022-10-31.
17. Web site: Arunachal Governor presents citations to Indian Army units guarding LAC. 2022-09-27. 2022-10-28.
18. Web site: Presented Governor’s Citation to 97 Field Regiment. 2022-09-26. 2022-10-28.
19. Web site: Ram Singh Yadav qualifies for London 2012. 2012-01-15. 2024-05-31.
20. Web site: Ram YADAV SINGH. 2024-05-31.