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1812 Rocket Regiment (India)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)
Active1965 – present
CountryIndia India
AllegianceIndia
Branch Indian Army
Type Artillery
SizeRegiment
Motto(s)SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL “Everywhere With Honour and Glory”. “Nulli Secundus”
Colors"Red & Navy Blue"
DecorationsVir Chakra 1 [1]
Commanders
Notable
commanders
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan

1812 Rocket Regiment is an artillery regiment which is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

Formation

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1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH) was raised on 15 March 1965 as 181 Light Battery at Khoja Toll, Ranchi Cantt under the stewardship of Major P Banerji.[2]

History

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Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System of 1812 Rocket Regiment passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 67th Republic Day Parade 2016

181 Light Battery was under 4 Mountain Artillery Brigade of the 4 Mountain Division during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the JhenaidahKushtia sector.[3] It was equipped with 120 mm Tampella mortars.[4]

In April 1972, 181 Light Battery was bifurcated into 1812 (1) and 1812 (2) Light Batteries. 1812(1) Light Battery earned a significant distinction when in 1975, it was commanded by Major S Padmananbhan who later went on to become the Chief of Army Staff.[2]

In 2009, the regiment took a pivotal step in its evolution when it was given the honour of converting to a Rocket Regiment equipped with the Russian-built BM-30 Smerch at Nasirabad, Ajmer. The regiment had the privilege to participate in the Republic Day parade, in New Delhi, on January 26, 2016.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ML Sharma VrC at gallantryawards.gov.in". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  2. ^ a b "1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)-Indian Army Postal Cover". Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  3. ^ "Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter3, page 116" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  4. ^ "1971 Official History" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-11-26.
  5. ^ "Hindustan Times Article – Republic Day 2016". Retrieved 2020-09-09.