4167) 26th Battalion The Mechanised Infantry Regiment: (XXVI - God's Own): Colour Presentation: Nov 2024: A Special Cover (SC) issued by the Army Post Office (APO): Date/Year of Special Cover issue: 27.11.2024:
MECHANISED INFANTRY REGIMENT
Motto: Valour and faith
War Cry: Bolo Bharat Mata ki jai
Regimental Centre: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
Active From: 1979
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, comprising 27 battalions dispersed under various armoured formations throughout India. It is one of the youngest regiments in the army, and though it was formed as a result of lessons learned in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, to give infantry battalions greater mobility, it was the mastermind of late Gen K Sundarji who had the foresight to cater the needs of a modern army.
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment has participated in Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Rakshak in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and Operation Vijay in Jammu & Kashmir.
It also specialises in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Somalia, Congo, Angola, and Sierra Leone. The Regiment has its affiliation to INS Gharial of the Indian Navy.
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army has a special distinction of operating even in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh and Sikkim.
"Brief History:
26th Battalion the Mechanised Infantry Regiment (GOD'S OWN):
was raised on 15 July 2015 by the then Vice Chief of Army Staff at Rakhmuthi, tracing its origin to the Independent Mechanised Company (Recce & Support) (Wheeled) raised in 1994.
the Battalion fully justified its appellation "God's Own") as it was raised under the foothills of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The only Mechanised Infantry Battalion to be raised in an active field area under aegis of Headquarters 10 Infantry Division & baptised by fire during 2016 Cease Fire violations, post-Surgical strikes.
While deployed along the Line of Control, the Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozomaya Mashina Platoon destroyed an enemy post 'Kala Machan' by direct firing and the Battalion 84 mm Mortar Detachments silenced 120 mm Mortar Detachments at enemy's 'Sukhtar' and 'Farid' posts, first ever by any Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
Also, took part in fire assaults with Laleali Battalion/28 Infantry Brigade. On 12 September 2014, the Battalion became the first Mechanised Infantry Battalion ever to validate floatation exercise in Manawar Tawi river, right on the Line of Control.
2. In November 2017, the Battalion was orbatted to 36 RAPID at Jodhpur and was actively involved during Operation ZAFRAN while actively being deployed at Devikot (Rajasthan), distinguished itself in Exercise DAKSHIN SHAKTI (2021) which was applauded by the then Chief of Army Staff.
The Battalion earned the coveted 36 RAPID Banner for the year 2019-20 and secured 3rd position in 2021-22.
3. In June 2022, the Battalion moved to Super High Altitude Area (North Sikkim) at 14500 feet. The Battalion was entirely deployed over Six Super High Altitude Area locations, conducting Conventional and Border Management Operations with Stage III Acclimatised Quick Reaction Forces deployment of Balwan Post, daily VISHAL patrol along the watershed and a Mechanised Infiantry Company deployment with Infantry Combat Vehicles in Winter cut-off Muguthang sector.
The Battalion executed independent operational control over strategic Lungnak-La Axis. Formalised de-novo layered anti-tank layout in Plateau Sub sector, inducted critical New Generation Equipments to Operation Area like Quick Reaction Force Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles, Infantry Combat Vehicles and Armoured Recovery Vehicle. Unit took active part in Operation TEESTA conducting restoration operations to include construction of three-foot bridges, Provisional relief materials for civilians as part of Operation SADBHAVNA.
The Battalion managed Zadong-Dongkya-La Convoy in an incident free manner. In its last nine years of dedicated service to the nation, the Battalion contributed in Counter Insurgency operations by providing manpower to Rashtriya Rifles and excelled in all professional spheres.
4. Gallantry/Distinguished Awards:
- Sena Medal - 05
- M-in-D - 01
- COAS Commendation Card - 11
- VCOAS Commendation Card - 03
- GOC-in-C Commendation Card - 48
Links:
Links to Posts on Buddha on this Blog:
1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post
2) "Mahabodhi Temple": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev
3) Did You Know Series (116): 1) An elephant named Mohini guided by her mahavat Dilshad and helper Sonu, was the one to carry the Special Philatelic Covers from Siddharth Enclave to Buddhapex-25 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: 2) The Taming of the Mad Elephant Nalagiri by thed Buddha in Buddhist Literature: Date/Year of Special Philatelic Cover issue: 10.07.2025
International Philately Exhibitions:
7) HAFNIA 24, Copenhagen, Denmark: Celebrating 400 Years of Danish Post: India Post participated in the Stamp Exhibition held from 17.10.2024 to 20.10.2024 with two Special Covers
Links to Posts on Buddha on this Blog:
1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post
2) "Mahabodhi Temple": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev
Greetings:
AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) POST CARDS:
World Earth Day:
Posts on G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi on this Blog:
Posts on "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" on this Blog:
AMRITPEX 2023 (THE NATIONAL PHILATELY EXHIBITION) held at New Delhi from 11-15.02.2023:
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Five Special Covers released by Philately Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi:
Links to Special Covers issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post:
Links to posts on Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:
Raj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great 👍🏻"
Thank you so much Raj.
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