M A I N   N E W S

Young cavaliers earn their spurs
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 27
State-of-the-art T-90 tanks, 132 in all, from five armoured regiments, with Standards and pennants fluttering proudly, rumbled past the saluting dias, dipping their massive 125 mm guns in salute before the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces here today. This marked an era of young units earning their spurs.

The oldest of these five units, 70 Armoured Regiment, is just 44 years old - very young as compared to some of the Army’s cavalry units whose history goes back over two centuries.

The regiment was raised on February 11, 1968 at Ahmednagar by late Brigadier R Christian as an anti-tank guided missile regiment, the first such outfit in the Army. It also has the distinction of being the first armoured regiment with a “mixed class” composition, drawing troops from various castes and religions.

The regiment took part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war on the western front and was deployed from Fazilka to the Rann of Kutch. It achieved its first tank kill on the Sabuna drain in the Fazilka sector on December 7, 1971. In 1975, the regiment handed over its missile equipment, along with some officers and other ranks to 15 Guards and was reorganised as a tank regiment, T-55 Tanks.

The 73 Armoured Regiment has the unique distinction of being raised during wartime, being formed on December 3, 1971, the day the Indo-Pak war broke out. It was raised at Vijay Lines, Ahmednagar, with a unique class composition of three martial communities, Sikhs, Rajputs and Kayam Khani Muslims.

The Regimwent’s crest comprises crossed lances with the “Sheesh Kavach” of the legendary Prithviraj Chauhan. The Sheesh displays his temporal powers while the Kavach exhibits his skill at using arms.

It has participated in Operation Trident, Rakshak, Vijay and Parakram and has also performed exceedingly well in deserts, thereby earning the sobriquet “The Desert Rats”. The regiment has won two Vir Chakras.

The 74 Armoured Regiment was raised on June 1, 1972 at Ahmednagar by Lieutenant Colonel KS Khajuria.

The class composition of the regiment is Sikhs, Ahirs and Dogras, with its regimental badge comprising a tank hull with a mailed fist on it representing the punch of armour. It has participated in all major operations since and has been awarded one Shaurya Chakra and four Sena Medals.

The 5 Armoured Regiment was raised at Jodhpur on December 1, 1983 under the command of then Lt Col JPS Hanspal. It has the distinction of being the first unit to convert to T-90S tanks. It has served in Operation Trident, Vijay, Parakram and Kosi Prahar, besides numerous other operations including aid to civil authorities.