Jammu and Kashmir Rifles

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Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Regimental Insignia of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Active1821 – present
CountryIndia India
Branch Indian Army
TypeInfantry
RoleInfantry
Size22 battalions
Regimental CentreJabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
MottosPrashasta Ranveerta
("Valour in Battle is Praiseworthy")[1]
War CryDurge Mata Ki Jai
("Victory to Mother Durga")[1]
DecorationsSee below
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Lieutenant General MP Singh, YSM, SM[2]
Insignia
Regimental InsigniaAn oval embracing the Sun, the State emblem. The Sanskrit inscription around the Sun, which cannot be read on the regimental insignia above, translates as, "Ever Victorious in War"[1]

The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Its origins lay in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. After the accession of the state to the Indian Union in October 1947, the State Forces came under the command of the Indian Army. They remained in the original form until 1956 when Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly effectively ratified the state's accession to India. Then the State Forces became the Jammu and Kashmir Regiment of the Indian Army.[3] In 1963, the designation was changed to Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. After the conversion, the Ladakh Scouts came under the aegis of the Regiment, where it remained until raised as a separate Regiment in 2002.[4]

History

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The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment traces its origin to the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir Maharaja Gulab Singh, of the first ruler of Jammu and Kashmir raised this Force in 1820 at Jammu. The earlier exploits of the Regiment includes the annexation of the entire Hill Region of Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. General Zorawar Singh, who had joined the State Forces in 1823 assisted in expansion of the state's territory to include Ladakh, Baltistan, Tibet, Gilgit, Yasin, Darel, Hunza Nagar, Chilas and Chitral between 1834 and 1895.

Pre-Independence

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Officers of 2nd Kashmir Rifles with the German flag and machine gun captured in the Battle of Lukigura on 24 June 1916.

World War I

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Maharaja Pratap Singh offered three Infantry Battalions and one Mountain Battery for service under the British during the First World War. The Regiment saw action in the East Africa, Palestine and Mesopotamia and won the Battle Honours of Megiddo, Nablus, Kilimanjaro, Behobeho, Palestine and Sharon. The Regiment was honoured with a total of 31 decorations. Following the war, the troops were welcomed on a grand scale at the Jammu Railway Station, following which the returning battalions marched through Jammu City displaying their war trophies, which included the German insignia - the Brass Eagle, the German flag and German artillery.[5]

Third Afghan War

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Immediately after the First World War, the 1st Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Battery and 1 Jammu and Kashmir Infantry participated in the Third Afghan War and were awarded 23 Meritorious Service Medals.

World War II

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The Regiment saw action in Burma where 23 of its person were decorated. Two Battle Honours, Kennedy Peak and Meiktila were awarded to the Regiment.

Post-Independence

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1947 Jammu and Kashmir operations

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The greatest trial of the Regiment came in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948. All nine Battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were strung over 500 miles of the frontier, from Kathua in the South to Leh in the North. Although outnumbered and partially compromised by internal betrayal, the units resistance managed to delay the attacking force. This delay proved strategically critical, as it allowed time for the State of Jammu and Kashmir to accede to India and for Indian forces to intervene, thereby influencing the outcome of the conflict.[6] A total of 18 Officers, 37 Junior Commissioned Officers, 1194 Other ranks and 34 Non Combatants laid their life during the war. The regiment was awarded with two Maha Vir Chakras (including the first Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India awarded to Late Brigadier Rajinder Singh[7]), 18 Vir Chakras and 52 Mentioned in Despatches.[8]

1956 Husainiwala Operations

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On 18 March 1956 a Pakistani force launched an attack against 4 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles then deployed to guard Husainiwala Headworks. During the clash the enemy suffered heavy casualties and the Unit was awarded one Ashok Charka, one Kirti Chakra and one Shaurya Chakra.

Merger With Indian Army

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Due to its valiant actions over the years including 1947-48 operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Regiment was amalgamated enbloc into the Indian Army on 15 January 57 without any dilution in rank structure and came to be known as Jammu and Kashmir Regiment. In February 1963, the Regiment was redesignated as Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

Indo-China War - 1962

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2 and 3 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles participated in 1962 war with China, wherein three Officers, 82 Other Ranks and eight Non Commissioned Employees made supreme sacrifice of their life in Bomdila Sector and the Regiment was awarded with one Mentioned-in-Despatch.

Indo-Pak War - 1965

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Seven of the eleven Battalions of the Regiment (3,4,5,6,7,8 & 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) participated in 1965 war, wherein seven Officers and 167 men were killed in the line of duty. 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was awarded with the Battle Honour of Asal Uttar and Theatre Honour Punjab for operations in Khem Karan Sector. Five persons of the Regiment were decorated.

Indo-Pak War - 1971

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All the 14 Battalions (1 to 14 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) of the Regiment participated in the 1971 War both at the Eastern and Western fronts. 76 soldiers of the regiment laid their lives. 1 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was awarded with the Battle Honour of Syam Ganj and Theatre Honour East Pakistan during the liberation of Bangladesh. 12 persons of the Regiment were awarded with gallantry medals.

Kargil War

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The Jammu & Kashmir Rifles contingent during the 66th Republic Day Parade, 2015

13, 14 and 19 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 28 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion and Ladakh Scouts took part in Operation Vijay. During the war, the regiment won 2 Param Vir Chakras, 8 Vir Chakras, 2 Yudh Seva Medals, 16 Sena Medals and 8 COAS Commendation Cards. In recognition of the exceptional account given by 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in the capture of its objectives, the unit has been awarded the Battle Honours of Dras and Mushkoh, the Theatre Honour of Kargil, along with the Bravest of the brave honour.

Regimental Crest

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The regimental crest features an oval encircling the radiant sun. Within the oval is the Sanskrit inscription Prashasta Ranveerta. The oval is surmounted by the national emblem of India - the Ashoka lion capital, while a scroll below bears the title ‘JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES’. The present crest reserves two significant elements from the former state emblem - the motto and the sun (Surya), the latter symbolic both of strength and of the Suryavanshi descent of the ruling Dogra family of Jammu.[9]

Regimental Day

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13th April (Zorawar Day) is celebrated as the regimental day in memory of General Zorawar Singh.[9]

Battle Honours

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Pre-Independence

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(i) Ladakh 1834-40
(ii) Baltistan 1840
(iii) Tibet 1841
(iv) Gilgit 1860
(v) Yasin 1863
(vi) Darel 1866
(vii) Hunza Nagar 1891-92
(viii) Chilas 1893
(ix) Chitral 1895
(x) East Africa 1914-17 1914-17
(xi) East Africa 1916-18 1916-18
(xii) Megiddo (WW - I) 1914-18
(xiii) Beho-Beho (WW - I) 1914-18
(xiv) Nablus (WW - I) 1914-18
(xv) Sharon (WW - I) 1914-18
(xvi) Kilimanjaro (WW - I) 1914-18
(xvii) Palestine (WW - I) 1918
(xviii) 3rd Afghan War 1919-20
(xix) Kennedy Peak (Burma Front, WW - II) 1944
(xx) Meiktila (Burma Front, WW - II) 1945

Post - Independence

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(i) Poonch (J&K Ops) 1947-48
(ii) Skardu (J&K Ops) 1947-48
(iii) Jammu & Kashmir 1947-48 1947-48
(iv) Asal Uttar (Khem Karan) 1965
(v) Syam Ganj 1971
(vi) Drass 1999
(vii) Mushkoh 1999
(viii) Kargil 1999

Theatre Honours

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Pre-Independence

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(i) East Africa 1914-17
(ii) East Africa 1916-18
(iii) Burma 1942-45

Post-Independence

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(i) 1942-45
(ii) Jammu & Kashmir 1947-48
(iii) Punjab 1965
(iv) East Pakistan 1971
(v) Kargil 1999

Gallantry Awards

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Unit Citations / Appreciations of Chief of Army Staff (Indian Army)

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(i) 1 JAK RIF 2006
(ii) 2 JAK RIF 1993
(iii) 3 JAK RIF 2015
(iv) 4 JAK RIF 1993 & 2021
(v) 6 JAK RIF 1992
(vi) 10 JAK RIF 1992
(vii) 12 JAK RIF 2006
(viii) 13 JAK RIF 1999 (Bravest of the Brave)
(ix) 14 JAK RIF 2022
(x) 15 JAK RIF 2004 & 2010
(xi) 17 JAK RIF 1994
(xii) 19 JAK RIF 2006
(xiii) 20 JAK RIF 2008
(xiv) 3 RR Bn (JAK RIF) 1995, 2020 & 2022
(xv) 28 RR Bn (JAK RIF) 1999 & 2016
(xvi) 52 RR Bn (JAK RIF) 2011

United Nation Force Commander's Unit Citation

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(i) 1 JAK RIF 2008
(ii) 4 JAK RIF 1993
(iii) 6 JAK RIF 2017
(iv) 15 JAK RIF 2012
(v) 19 JAK RIF 2022
(vi) 20 JAK RIF 2020
(vii) 26 JAK RIF (CDO) 2024

See also

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Notes

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  • Rawat, Rachna Bisht (2014). The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories. Penguin Books India Private Limited. ISBN 9780143422358.
  • Singh, K. Brahma (1990), History of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 1820-1956: The State Force Background, Lancer International, ISBN 978-81-7062-091-4

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles". bharat-rakshak.com. 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Maj Gen MPSingh,YSM,SM COR JAKRIF & LS addressed a Special Sainik Sammelan of the Raghunath Bn on the eve of its departure to Peacekeeping Mission UNMISS". X (formerly twitter). 3 July 2024.
  3. ^ Brahma Singh, K (1990). History of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 1820-1956: The state force background. New Delhi: Lancer International. pp. 110, 278, 279, 290. ISBN 978-81-7062-091-4. OCLC 21760758.
  4. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir Rifles". globalsecurity.org. 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Politics:Why we must not forget J&K state forces who fought World War I". 7 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Story of the Four Battlegrounds: Defending Jammu and Kashmir's Future". 9 December 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Remembering 'Saviour of Kashmir' Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal on his martyrdom day, who fought till his last breath to defend J&K from Pakistani invaders in 1947". 26 October 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  8. ^ Prasad, SN; Pal, Dharm. Operations In Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48 (PDF). Ministry of Defence, Government of India. p. 397-404.
  9. ^ a b Palit, Major General DK (1972). Jammu and Kashmir Arms. Palit and Dutt.
  10. ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Mahatam Singh". Retrieved 7 November 2025.

Further reading

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