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{{short description|Division of the Indian Army}}
{{short description|Division of the Indian Army}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name =1st Armoured Division
| unit_name = 1st Armoured Division
|image=
| image = 1 Armoured Division, Indian Army.svg
|image_size=
| image_size =  
|caption=
| caption = Formation Badge of the 1st Armoured Division
|start_date={{start date and age|01 September 1945}}
| start_date = {{start date and age|1945|09|1|df=yes}}
|country={{flagu|India|size=23px}}
| country = {{flagu|India|size=23px}}
|branch={{army|India|size=23px}}
| branch = {{army|India|size=23px}}
|allegiance=
| allegiance =  
|command_structure= [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
| command_structure = [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
|type= [[Division (military)#Armoured division|Armoured]]
| type = [[Division (military)#Armoured division|Armoured]]
|role=  
| role =  
|size=[[Division (military)#India|Division]]
| size = [[Division (military)#India|Division]]
|garrison=[[Patiala]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/western-command-chief-reviews-preparedness-of-airawat-division-263706|title=Western Command chief reviews preparedness of Airawat Division|date=2021-06-05|access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref>
| garrison = [[Patiala]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/western-command-chief-reviews-preparedness-of-airawat-division-263706|title=Western Command chief reviews preparedness of Airawat Division|date=5 June 2021|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>
|ceremonial_chief =
| ceremonial_chief =  
|nickname=''Airawat Division''
| nickname = ''Airawat Division'' (The Black Elephant Division)
|motto=  
| motto =  
|colors=
| colors =  
|march=
| march =  
|mascot=The [[Indian elephant]]
| mascot = The [[Indian elephant]]
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 =  
|commander1=
| commander1_label =  
|commander1_label=
| commander2 =  
|commander2=
| commander2_label =  
|commander2_label=
| commander3 =  
|commander3=
| commander3_label =  
|commander3_label=
| commander4 =  
|commander4=
| commander4_label =  
|commander4_label=
| notable_commanders = [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/>[[Rajinder Singh Sparrow|Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow']]   
|notable_commanders=[[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/>[[Rajinder Singh Sparrow|Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow']]   
<!-- Battles -->| battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
<!-- Battles -->
| anniversaries =  
|battles=[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
|anniversaries =
}}
}}


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==Formation==
==Formation==
The division was formed when the [[31st Indian Armoured Division]] was re-designated on September 1, 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/armd_divsww2.html |title=Indian Armored Divisions in World War II |date=August 25, 2002 |first=Ravi |last=Rikhye |website=orbat.com |accessdate=April 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808125947/http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/armd_divsww2.html |archivedate=August 8, 2014}}</ref>
The division was formed when the [[31st Indian Armoured Division]] was re-designated on 1 September 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/armd_divsww2.html |title=Indian Armored Divisions in World War II |date=25 August 2002 |first=Ravi |last=Rikhye |website=orbat.com |accessdate=1 April 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808125947/http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/armd_divsww2.html |archivedate=8 August 2014}}</ref>


The 1st Armoured Division was one of two divisional headquarters transferred from the [[British Indian Army]] to the [[Indian Army]] upon the [[partition of British India]] in August 1947.{{refn|group=fn|A third divisional headquarters, of the 4th Indian Division, had become the [[Punjab Boundary Force]].{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=33}}}} At the time, it had its divisional headquarters at [[Secunderabad]] and the 43rd Lorried Infantry Brigade away with the [[Punjab Boundary Force]]. In June 1946, the wartime [[255th Indian Tank Brigade]] was redesignated as 1st Armoured Brigade and assigned to 1st Armoured Division.{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=166}}
The 1st Armoured Division was one of two divisional headquarters transferred from the [[British Indian Army]] to the [[Indian Army]] upon the [[partition of British India]] in August 1947.{{refn|group=fn|A third divisional headquarters, of the 4th Indian Division, had become the [[Punjab Boundary Force]].{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=33}}}} At the time, it had its divisional headquarters at [[Secunderabad]] and the 43rd Lorried Infantry Brigade away with the [[Punjab Boundary Force]]. In June 1946, the wartime [[255th Indian Tank Brigade]] was redesignated as 1st Armoured Brigade and assigned to 1st Armoured Division.{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=166}}
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The division played a major role in [[Operation Polo]], the integration of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] into the Indian Union in 1948. During this time Major General [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]] was serving as the division's commander, also serving as Military Governor of the state in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. For the Hyderabad operation, the division controlled the 1st Armoured Brigade and the 7th and 9th Infantry Brigades.{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=35}}
The division played a major role in [[Operation Polo]], the integration of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] into the Indian Union in 1948. During this time Major General [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]] was serving as the division's commander, also serving as Military Governor of the state in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. For the Hyderabad operation, the division controlled the 1st Armoured Brigade and the 7th and 9th Infantry Brigades.{{sfnp|Rinaldi|Rikhye|2011|p=35}}


The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/archives/MONITOR/ISSUE2-3/lns.html|title=Operation Polo: The Liberation Of Hyderabad|date=1999-11-01|access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref>-
The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/archives/MONITOR/ISSUE2-3/lns.html|title=Operation Polo: The Liberation Of Hyderabad|date=1 November 1999|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>-


'''Strike Force'''
'''Strike Force'''
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*[[1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)|Skinner's Horse]] (minus one squadron)  
*[[1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)|Skinner's Horse]] (minus one squadron)  
*1 troop Division HQ Squadron
*1 troop Division HQ Squadron
*Battery 1 Field Regiment (Self Propelled)
*Battery [[1 Field Regiment (India)|1 Field Regiment (Self Propelled)]]
*1 Forward Air Control team
*1 Forward Air Control team


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*[[Poona Horse|17 Horse]] (minus one squadron)  
*[[Poona Horse|17 Horse]] (minus one squadron)  
*One troop Skinner's Horse
*One troop Skinner's Horse
*1 Field Regiment (less one battery) (Self Propelled)
*[[1 Field Regiment (India)|1 Field Regiment (Self Propelled)]] (less one battery)  
*2nd Battery [[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Medium Regiment]]
*2nd Battery [[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Medium Regiment]]
*One company 9 Dogra
*One company 9 Dogra
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==Indo-Pakistani War of 1965==
==Indo-Pakistani War of 1965==
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
The 1st Armoured Division with Major General [[Rajinder Singh Sparrow|Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow']] as the [[General officer commanding|GOC]] played an important role in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. He was awarded the [[Mahavir Chakra]] for his role during the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/Wars/1965/I/0597.jpg.html |title=Major General Rajinder Singh Sparrow, MVC, GOC 1st Armoured Division |work=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |accessdate=July 7, 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601235055/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/Wars/1965/I/0597.jpg.html |archivedate=June 1, 2012}}</ref><ref name=today>{{cite magazine |title=Former Congress (I) MP Rajinder Singh Sparrow passes away: Signposts |magazine=[[India Today]] |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/former-congressi-mp-rajinder-singh-sparrow-passes-away/1/293312.html |date=May 15, 1994 |accessdate=July 7, 2014}}</ref>


The division was part of the [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] on the western front. The order of battle was as follows<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Harbaksh |title=War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=2012|publisher= Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-8170621171|page=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/battle-of-phillora-1965-war/|title=Battle of Phillora 1965 War|date=2020-10-20|access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref>-
The 1st Armoured Division with Major General [[Rajinder Singh Sparrow|Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow']] as the [[General officer commanding|GOC]] played an important role in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. He was awarded the [[Mahavir Chakra]] for his role during the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/Wars/1965/I/0597.jpg.html |title=Major General Rajinder Singh Sparrow, MVC, GOC 1st Armoured Division |work=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |accessdate=7 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601235055/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/Wars/1965/I/0597.jpg.html |archivedate=1 June 2012}}</ref><ref name=today>{{cite magazine |title=Former Congress (I) MP Rajinder Singh Sparrow passes away: Signposts |magazine=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/signposts/story/19940515-former-congressi-mp-rajinder-singh-sparrow-passes-away-809153-1994-05-14 |date=15 May 1994 |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>
 
The division was part of the [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] on the western front. The order of battle was as follows<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Harbaksh |title=War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=2012|publisher= Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-8170621171|page=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/battle-of-phillora-1965-war/|title=Battle of Phillora 1965 War|date=20 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>-


'''1 Armoured Division''' (Major General Rajinder Singh)
'''1 Armoured Division''' (Major General Rajinder Singh)
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**[[4th Horse (Hodson's Horse)|4 Horse]]
**[[4th Horse (Hodson's Horse)|4 Horse]]
**9 [[Dogra Regiment|Dogra]]
**9 [[Dogra Regiment|Dogra]]
*1 Artillery Brigade (Brigadier [[Om Prakash Malhotra|OP Malhotra]])
*'''1 Artillery Brigade''' (Brigadier [[Om Prakash Malhotra|OP Malhotra]])
**[[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Field Regiment (SP)]]
**[[71 Field Regiment (India)|71 Medium Regiment]]
**[[101 Field Regiment (India)|101 Field Regiment (SP)]]
*Brigades under temporary operational command
*Brigades under temporary operational command
**35 Infantry Brigade (from 9 to 16 September 1965)
**35 Infantry Brigade (from 9 to 16 September 1965)
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**58 Infantry Brigade (from 12 to 16 September 1965)
**58 Infantry Brigade (from 12 to 16 September 1965)


The major battles fought by the division include the [[Battle of Phillora]] and the [[Battle of Chawinda]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.claws.in/images/journals_doc/20072578_ArmourOperationsIndoPakconflict1965.pdf|title=Armour Operations:Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=|access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/tales-of-valour-the-battle-of-phillora-and-chawinda/702786|title=Tales of Valour: The Battle of Phillora and Chawinda|date=2021-01-04|access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref> At the time of the cease-fire, 1 Corps held around 500 square kilometres of Pakistani territory and had caused substantial damage to the enemy armour. Lieutenant Colonel [[Ardeshir Tarapore|A B Tarapore]], 17 Horse was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]], Major General Rajinder Singh, GOC, 1 Armoured Division, Brig KK Singh, Commander 1 Armoured Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel MMS Bakshi, Commandant 4 Horse,  and Major Bhupinder Singh, 4 Horse were awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1662-1966-0007-75752.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 7|date=1966-02-12|access-date=2021-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1662-1966-0001-75746.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 1|date=1966-01-01|access-date=2021-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/sep16-15/h2.htm|title=Operations of 1 Corps|date=2015-09-15|access-date=2021-05-01}}</ref>
The major battles fought by the division include the [[Battle of Phillora]] and the [[Battle of Chawinda]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.claws.in/images/journals_doc/20072578_ArmourOperationsIndoPakconflict1965.pdf|title=Armour Operations:Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/tales-of-valour-the-battle-of-phillora-and-chawinda/702786|title=Tales of Valour: The Battle of Phillora and Chawinda|date=4 January 2021|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref> At the time of the cease-fire, 1 Corps held around 500 square kilometres of Pakistani territory and had caused substantial damage to the enemy armour. Lieutenant Colonel [[Ardeshir Tarapore|A B Tarapore]], 17 Horse was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]], Major General Rajinder Singh, GOC, 1 Armoured Division, Brig KK Singh, Commander 1 Armoured Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel MMS Bakshi, Commandant 4 Horse,  and Major Bhupinder Singh, 4 Horse were awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1662-1966-0007-75752.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 7|date=12 February 1966|access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1662-1966-0001-75746.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 1|date=1 January 1966|access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/sep16-15/h2.htm|title=Operations of 1 Corps|date=15 September 2015|access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref>


==Indo-Pakistani War of 1971==
==Indo-Pakistani War of 1971==
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
The division was under the [[XI Corps (India)|XI Corps]], but did not see action. The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows<ref name="Gill 2003">{{cite book|last=Gill|first=JH|title=An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh|date=2003|publisher=National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|page=88}}</ref>-
The division was under the [[XI Corps (India)|XI Corps]], but did not see action. The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows<ref name="Gill 2003">{{cite book|last=Gill|first=JH|title=An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh|date=2003|publisher=National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|page=88}}</ref>-


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**1 [[Garhwal Rifles]]  
**1 [[Garhwal Rifles]]  
(all equipped with [[OT-62 TOPAS|TOPAS]] armoured personnel carriers)
(all equipped with [[OT-62 TOPAS|TOPAS]] armoured personnel carriers)


==The Present==
==The Present==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:1st Armoured Division (India)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1st Armoured Division (India)}}
{{#seo:
|keywords=Divisions of the Indian Army, Military units and formations established in 1945
|description=
}}
[[Category:Divisions of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:Divisions of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]
[[Category:Armored divisions]]

Latest revision as of 23:44, 5 March 2026


1st Armoured Division
Formation Badge of the 1st Armoured Division
Founded1 September 1945; 80 years ago (1945-09-01)
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeArmoured
SizeDivision
Part ofII Corps
Garrison/HQPatiala[1]
Nickname(s)Airawat Division (The Black Elephant Division)
Mascot(s)The Indian elephant
EngagementsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri
Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow'

The 1st Armoured Division is an armoured division of the Indian Army, headquartered at Patiala, Punjab. It is part of II Corps of the Indian Army's Western Command.

Formation[edit | edit source]

The division was formed when the 31st Indian Armoured Division was re-designated on 1 September 1945.[2]

The 1st Armoured Division was one of two divisional headquarters transferred from the British Indian Army to the Indian Army upon the partition of British India in August 1947.[fn 1] At the time, it had its divisional headquarters at Secunderabad and the 43rd Lorried Infantry Brigade away with the Punjab Boundary Force. In June 1946, the wartime 255th Indian Tank Brigade was redesignated as 1st Armoured Brigade and assigned to 1st Armoured Division.[4]

Operation Polo[edit | edit source]

Main article: Annexation of Hyderabad

The division played a major role in Operation Polo, the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948. During this time Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri was serving as the division's commander, also serving as Military Governor of the state in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. For the Hyderabad operation, the division controlled the 1st Armoured Brigade and the 7th and 9th Infantry Brigades.[5]

The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows[6]-

Strike Force

Smash Force - 1 Armoured Brigade (Brigadier S.D Verma)

Kill Force - 7 Infantry Brigade (Brigadier Gurbachan Singh)

Vir Force - 9 Infantry Brigade (Brigadier Apji Randhir Singh)

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965[edit | edit source]

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The 1st Armoured Division with Major General Rajinder Singh 'Sparrow' as the GOC played an important role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his role during the war.[7][8]

The division was part of the I Corps on the western front. The order of battle was as follows[9][10]-

1 Armoured Division (Major General Rajinder Singh)

The major battles fought by the division include the Battle of Phillora and the Battle of Chawinda.[11][12] At the time of the cease-fire, 1 Corps held around 500 square kilometres of Pakistani territory and had caused substantial damage to the enemy armour. Lieutenant Colonel A B Tarapore, 17 Horse was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, Major General Rajinder Singh, GOC, 1 Armoured Division, Brig KK Singh, Commander 1 Armoured Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel MMS Bakshi, Commandant 4 Horse, and Major Bhupinder Singh, 4 Horse were awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.[13][14][15]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971[edit | edit source]

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

The division was under the XI Corps, but did not see action. The order of battle (ORBAT) for the division was as follows[16]-

1 Armoured Division (Major General Gurbachan Singh)

(all equipped with Vijayanta tanks)

(all equipped with TOPAS armoured personnel carriers)

The Present[edit | edit source]

Following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, the division was re-organised with the 1st and 43rd Armoured Brigades and relocated in 1972 to Ambala. In 1984, it was reorganized with the 1st, 43rd and 98th Armoured Brigades.[5] At present, the Divisional Headquarters is located at Patiala as are the 43 and 98 Armoured Brigades. 1 Armoured Brigade is located at Nabha and 1 Artillery Brigade at Ambala.

Footnotes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ A third divisional headquarters, of the 4th Indian Division, had become the Punjab Boundary Force.[3]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Western Command chief reviews preparedness of Airawat Division". 5 June 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ↑ Rikhye, Ravi (25 August 2002). "Indian Armored Divisions in World War II". orbat.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Rinaldi & Rikhye (2011), p. 33.
  4. ↑ Rinaldi & Rikhye (2011), p. 166.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rinaldi & Rikhye (2011), p. 35.
  6. ↑ "Operation Polo: The Liberation Of Hyderabad". 1 November 1999. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Major General Rajinder Singh Sparrow, MVC, GOC 1st Armoured Division". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Former Congress (I) MP Rajinder Singh Sparrow passes away: Signposts". India Today. 15 May 1994. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Singh, Harbaksh (2012). War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-8170621171.
  10. ↑ "Battle of Phillora 1965 War". 20 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Armour Operations:Indo-Pak Conflict 1965" (PDF). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  12. ↑ "Tales of Valour: The Battle of Phillora and Chawinda". 4 January 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "Gazette of India, No 7" (PDF). 12 February 1966. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Gazette of India, No 1" (PDF). 1 January 1966. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  15. ↑ "Operations of 1 Corps". 15 September 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Gill, JH (2003). An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh. National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. p. 88.
Bibliography
  • Rinaldi, Richard & Rikhye, Ravi (2011). Indian Army Order of Battle. General Data LLC. ISBN 978-0-98205-417-8.
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