Naga Regiment

The first battalion of the regiment (1 Naga) was raised at the Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet on 1 November 1970 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel. R.N. Mahajan, {{small|VSM}}. Being the only battalion, it was then designated as the Naga Regiment. The manpower to raise this battalion was provided by battalions of the Kumaon Regiment, Garhwal Rifles and 3 Gorkha Rifles. 69 Nagas were enrolled directly from rehabilitation camps of underground Nagas. However, the regiment's troops were to be 50% Nagas and 50% of an equal number of Kumaonis, Garhwalis and Gorkhas. Since many Kumaon battalions had been associated with Nagaland, particularly in the years preceding the raising of the Naga Regiment, it was affiliated to the Kumaon Regiment for all regimental matters. The second battalion (2 Naga) was raised on 11 February 1985 at Haldwani and the third battalion (3 Naga) was raised on 1 October 2009 at Haldwani.{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/about/the-rajput-regiment/history-the-kumaon-and-naga-regiment|title=Birth of the NAGA Regiment|access-date=2023-10-15}}{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/3-naga-youngest-naga-battalion-gets-presidents-colour/1802543/|title=3 Naga, youngest Naga battalion, gets President’s Colour|date=2023-10-13|access-date=2023-10-14}}

The traditional Naga weapons viz the Dao, the Spear and the prestigious Mithun have been integrated into the Regimental Crest. The regiment's colours are gold, green and red - the gold signifies the rising sun, the green signifies the infantry and red is the colour of authority among Nagas. The motto of the regiment is Parakramo vijayate (Valour triumphs) and the battle cry is Jai Durga Naga (Victory to Durga Naga).{{Cite book|isbn = 978-8178357751 |title = Martial races of undivided India|year = 2009|last= Tyagi|first= Vidya Prakash |pages=115–118|publisher = Gyan Publishing House}}{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/infantry-regiments-the-cutting-edge-of-soldiering/5/|title=Infantry Regiments: The cutting edge of Soldiering|date=2018-01-24|access-date=2023-10-16}}

The 2nd battalion of the regiment (2 Naga) was inducted into Keran sector of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, where it was responsible for ensuring the sanctity of approximately 24 kilometres of Line of Control (LoC) and also to counter anti-national elements and their operations. It was in this sector that 2 Naga participated in one of the landmark operations - Operation Romeo. The goal of this operation was to dominate the LoC. The entire operation was carried out with clockwork precision and without any casualties to Indian troops.{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/an-account-of-operations-of-2nd-battalion-of-the-naga-regiment|title=An account of operations of 2nd Battalion of the Naga Regiment|date=2020-10-19|access-date=2023-10-15}}

{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}

The 1st battalion (1 Naga) took part in operations in East Pakistan under 4 Infantry Division, which was part of 2 Corps. It earned a name for the regiment and was awarded one Vir Chakra and three Sena Medals.{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/naga-regiments-baptism-with-fire|title=Naga Regiment’s Baptism with fire|date=2020-10-05|access-date=2023-10-16}}

2 Naga has been deployed on the United Nations Mission in Sudan in 2008 and was awarded with UN Force Commander's Appreciation Card.{{cite web |author=John Pike |title=Naga Regiment |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-naga.htm |access-date=26 November 2014}}

1 Naga reached Dras on 11 May 1999. In the attack on Tololing, it supported 2 Rajputana Rifles. After the capture of Tololing 1 Naga was assigned to capture the hill feature of Black Tooth, which is successfully did. In July 1999, the regiment captured the formations Pimple and Point 5060.{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/actions-of-1st-battalion-of-naga-regiment-during-operation-vijay-kargil|title=Actions of 1st Battalion of Naga Regiment during OPERATION VIJAY (Kargil)|date=2010-10-12|access-date=2023-10-16}} 2 Naga was deployed as part of Operation Vijay in order to push back Pakistani infiltrators who had crossed the LoC in Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir. It was one of the first units to be inducted into the theatre of conflict.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/64535/maha-vir-chakra-awardee-imliakum-ao-kargil/|title = This Kargil War Hero, a Maha vir Chakra Awardee, Continues to Inspire the Nation|date = 14 August 2016}} An assault group from 2 Naga attacked and destroyed a heavily guarded Pakistani mortar position and ammunition dump on Twin Bump in the Point 4875 complex, an action for which Sepoy Imliakum Ao was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 2 Naga also took part in the assault on Tiger Hill, where it attacked the mountain from its left flank.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/head-hunters-in-kargil-naga-regiment/|title=Head hunters in Kargil – Naga Regiment|date=2019-07-21|access-date=2023-10-15}}

3rd Battalion, the Naga Regiment represented India and Indian military in the Multilateral Joint Strategic Exercise ZAPAD 2021 which was held at Russia.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-02|title='ZAPAD 2021': India Army to take part in theatre level exercise with 17 nations|url=https://newsonair.com/2021/09/02/zapad-2021-india-army-to-take-part-in-theatre-level-exercise-with-17-nations/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=NewsOnAIR -|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Indian Army display firepower, air stunts at Zapad 2021; China & Pakistan watch|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-display-firepower-air-stunts-at-zapad-2021-china-pakistan-watch-101631546972208.html|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Hindustan Times|date=13 September 2021 |language=en}}

Although two battalions of the Naga Regiment were raised as per the historic 16-point 1960 agreement that facilitated the formation of Nagaland state, as of 2001 there were complaints that there was no proper representation of Naga youths in the regiment, headquartered at Ranikhet in Uttarakhand. Nagaland comes under dispensation category and the education standard required for soldier general duty (GD) category is only class-V standard for tribal candidates.

The Army then conducted a special recruitment drive for all category of posts to recruit 325 Naga youths across the state. GOC Nagaland, Major General R. N. Kapur, said at least 3,000 Naga youths would be recruited in the Army, Assam Rifles and reserve battalions in 2014 and hoped the youth would avail the opportunity to join the armed forces.

;President's Colour Award

1 Naga was presented with 'Colours' on 6 May 1978 at Dehradun by Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the President of India and 2 Naga was presented with 'Colours' on 10 May 1990 by General V.N. Sharma {{small|PVSM, ADC}}, the Chief of Army Staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/units/117-Naga-Regt.html|title=Bharat Rakshak :: Land Forces Site - The Naga Regiment|author=Webmaster I|access-date=26 November 2014}} 3 Naga was presented with ‘Colours’ on 13 October 2023 in Ranikhet by General Manoj Pande {{small|PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC}}, the Chief of Army Staff.{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1967405|title=ARMY CHIEF PRESENTS THE PRESIDENT’S COLOURS TO THIRD BATTALION THE NAGA REGIMENT|date=2023-10-13|access-date=2023-10-15}}

;Gallantry awards

{{Incomplete list|date=October 2023}}

• Maha Vir Chakra
• Sepoy (later Subedar) Imliakum Ao, 2 Naga{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1509|title=Subedar (Then, Sepoy) IMLIAKUM AO|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• Kirti Chakra
• Major David Manlun (posthumous), 164 Infantry Battalion (TA){{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4601|title=DAVID MANLUN|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• 8 Vir Chakra
• Havildar (later Subedar) Joseph Chang Anal, 2 Naga{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2696|title=Joseph Chang Anal|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• Captain (later Colonel) Deepankar Kapoor Singh Sharawat, 2 Naga{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2844|title=Deepankar Kapoor Singh Sharawat|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• Lance Naik Khushiman Gurung, 1 Naga{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2727|title=Khushiman Gurung|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• Sepoy K Ashuli, 1 Naga{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2730|title=K Ashuli|access-date=2023-10-15}}
• 6 Shaurya Chakras
• Sepoy Vijay Singh Bohara, 60 RR{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2011/W_14_2011_075.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 719|date=2011-04-02|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Lance Naik KS Kharwung, 1 Naga{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2011/W_14_2011_075.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 723|date=2011-04-02|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Captain Nayanjyoti Buragohain{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2007/W_11_2011_058.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 480|date=2007-03-17|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Yudh Seva Medal
• Colonel (later Brigadier) DK Badola, 2 Naga
• Vishisht Seva Medal
• Brigadier Sameer Kalla, 2 Naga{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2015/163360.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 239|date=2015-04-04|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Colonel Deepankar Kapoor Singh Sharawat, 2 Naga{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2015/163360.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 241|date=2015-04-04|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Colonel Ramkrishanan Pillai Satyan{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2006/W_11_2011_100.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 11, page 276-7|date=2006-03-18|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• Colonel Arul Dennis, 1 Naga
• Brigadier Sameer Srivastava{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2021/228628.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 31, page 320|date=2021-07-31|access-date=2023-10-16}}
• 48 Sena Medals{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2005/W_48_2012_126.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 48, page 1174-5|date=2005-11-26|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2011/W_14_2011_075.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 700-2|date=2011-04-02|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2007/W_11_2011_058.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 472-4|date=2007-03-17|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2015/163360.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 14, page 247|date=2015-04-04|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2007/W_11_2011_050.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 11, page 529-31|date=2007-03-13|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2006/W_45_2011_067.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 45, page 922-3|date=2006-11-11|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2013/W_13_2013_223.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 13, page 530-31|date=2013-03-30|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2009/W_12_2010_007.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 12, page 382|date=2009-03-21|access-date=2023-10-16}}{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2019/200314.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 11, page 124|date=2019-03-16|access-date=2023-10-16}}

• List of regiments of the Indian Army

• [https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/units/117-Naga Naga Regiment on Bharat-Rakshak]

{{Reflist}}

{{Indian Army Infantry Regiments}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Infantry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947

Category:Military units and formations established in 1970