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{{for|the regiment of the [[British Indian Army]] in the [[First World War]]|11th Gurkha Rifles}} | {{for|the regiment of the [[British Indian Army]] in the [[First World War]]|11th Gurkha Rifles}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
| unit_name = 11th Gorkha Rifles | | unit_name = 11th Gorkha Rifles | ||
| image = | | native_name = | image = 11th Gorkha rifles Insignia (India).svg | ||
| image_size = 200px | |||
| caption = 11th Gorkha Rifles Regiment insignia | | caption = 11th Gorkha Rifles Regiment insignia | ||
| dates = | | dates = 1918–1922, 1948–present | ||
| country = {{ | | country = {{flag|India}} | ||
| allegiance = | | allegiance = | ||
| branch = {{army|India}} | | branch = {{army|India}} | ||
| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
| equipment = | | equipment = | ||
| equipment_label= | | equipment_label= | ||
| nickname = [[Kiranti]] | | nickname = [[Kiranti|Kiranti Veer]] (Kirantis The Bravest of the Brave) | ||
| patron = | | patron = | ||
| motto = ''Yatraham Vijayastatra (We are the Metaphor for Victory)'' | | motto = ''Yatraham Vijayastatra (We are the Metaphor for Victory)'' | ||
| colors = | | colors = | ||
| colors_label = | | colors_label = | ||
| march = | | march = Regimental Song: Kiranti Veer Kirant Ko <ref>{{cite web|url=https://assn11gr.org/index.php?do=menu3&lmid=36&lm2id=22&banner=yes|title=VIR KIRANTI:THE REGIMENTAL SONG AND MARCH}}</ref> | ||
| mascot = | | website = {{URL|http://assn11gr.org/}} | mascot = | ||
| battles = | | battles = | ||
| anniversaries = | | anniversaries = | ||
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| ceremonial_chief = Colonel of the Regiment | | ceremonial_chief = Colonel of the Regiment | ||
| ceremonial_chief_label = | | ceremonial_chief_label = | ||
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Lt Gen [[ | | colonel_of_the_regiment = Lt Gen [[Ajai Kumar Singh]] | ||
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = | | colonel_of_the_regiment_label = | ||
| notable_commanders = [[General officer|Gen]] [[Bipin Rawat]] | | notable_commanders = [[General officer|Gen]] [[Bipin Rawat]] <br /> | ||
[[General officer|Gen]] [[Anil Chauhan]] | |||
<!-- Insignia --> | <!-- Insignia --> | ||
| identification_symbol = A pair of crossed [[khukuri]]s with the Roman numeral XI inbetween | | identification_symbol = A pair of crossed [[khukuri]]s with the Roman numeral XI inbetween | ||
| Line 42: | Line 44: | ||
| identification_symbol_2_label = War cry | | identification_symbol_2_label = War cry | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''11 Gorkha Rifles''' is a [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]] that was re-raised after independence. The regiment consists of primarily the [[ | The '''11 Gorkha Rifles''' is a [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]] that was re-raised after independence. The regiment consists of primarily the [[Kirant]] Tribes [[Rai people|Rai]], [[Limbu people|Limbu]], [[Yakkha people|Yakkha]], [[Sunuwar]] of [[Province No. 1|Eastern Nepal]], [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]], [[Dooars]] of [[West Bengal]], [[Sikkim]] and other parts of [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rBDURzR-8zE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/rBDURzR-8zE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=11Gorkha Regiment Documentary|website=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://assn11gr.org/index.php?do=menu2&lmid=59&banner=yes|title=Brief History of 11Gorkha Rifles/11Gorkha Rifles official Website}}</ref> Though it is considered to be the youngest of the Gorkha regiments its lineage is as long as those of the [[7th Gurkha Rifles]] and [[10th Gurkha Rifles]]. | ||
The regiment has participated in all major military operations India has undertaken since independence including in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]], [[Operation Polo]] in 1948, the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], and the [[Kargil War]] in 1999. Units of the regiment have also deployed abroad on UN missions. | The regiment has participated in all major military operations India has undertaken since independence including in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]], [[Operation Polo]] in 1948, the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], and the [[Kargil War]] in 1999. Units of the regiment have also deployed abroad on UN missions. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===First raising=== | ===First raising=== | ||
The [[11th Gurkha Rifles]] was raised as an ad hoc unit in 1918 with troops and officers being drawn from the various Gurkha regiments. The regiment, consisting of four battalions,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/11GR.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113083820/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/11GR.htm |archive-date=13 January 2006 |access-date=28 November 2020|title=11th Gurkha Rifles |work=Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth }}</ref> saw service in both [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Mesopotamia]] at the end of the [[First World War]], as well as during the [[Third Afghan War]] in 1919, before being disbanded in 1922 and the troops being reverted to their original units.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharma|first=Anshul|title=11 Gorkha – Captain Manoj Pandey's regiment|url=http://captainmanojpandey.tripod.com/gorkha.htm|access-date=27 January | The [[11th Gurkha Rifles]] was raised as an ad hoc unit in 1918 with troops and officers being drawn from the various Gurkha regiments. The regiment, consisting of four battalions,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/11GR.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113083820/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/11GR.htm |archive-date=13 January 2006 |access-date=28 November 2020|title=11th Gurkha Rifles |work=Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth }}</ref> saw service in both [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Mesopotamia]] at the end of the [[First World War]], as well as during the [[Third Afghan War]] in 1919, before being disbanded in 1922 and the troops being reverted to their original units.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharma|first=Anshul|title=11 Gorkha – Captain Manoj Pandey's regiment|url=http://captainmanojpandey.tripod.com/gorkha.htm|access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref> There were no separate insignias authorized for this regiment and the personnel wore the badges of distinction of their parent units, though there have been instances where unofficial badges were made and worn by some personnel.<ref>{{cite web |author=Templer, Andrew |title=The 1/11th Gurkha Rifles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517033315/http://www.king-emperor.com/article3.htm |url=http://www.king-emperor.com/article3.htm |archive-date=17 May 2006 |access-date=28 November 2022}}</ref> | ||
===Second raising=== | ===Second raising=== | ||
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[[File:Lalit_Rai.jpg|thumb|right|305x305px|[[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] [[Lalit Rai]] receiving the [[Vir Chakra]] from [[President of India|President]] [[K. R. Narayanan]] for his command of 1/11 GR during the Kargil War.]] | [[File:Lalit_Rai.jpg|thumb|right|305x305px|[[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] [[Lalit Rai]] receiving the [[Vir Chakra]] from [[President of India|President]] [[K. R. Narayanan]] for his command of 1/11 GR during the Kargil War.]] | ||
From the jungles of Nagaland, the Bnz moved to New Misamari in Jan 1971 under the orbatz of 301 Mtn Bde/ 23 Mtn Div. The Bn stayed at Misamari only for a short duration of three months before moving to Durgapur | |||
and Burdwan districts of | |||
West Bengal for IS duties for conduct of state elections. The Bn was back to Misamari in Aug 1971. However, by then the clouds of war and turmoil had already | |||
begun to take shape in Bangladesh. | |||
By Sep 1971, ‘The First’ moved by train to Dharmanagar from Tezpur and took up defences in Sonamura heights near Comilla, the then East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). Aggressive patrolling and ambushes were carried out by the Bn to deter the enemy. On 08 Nov 1971, Capt PK Rampal was wounded in a gunfight while silencing one MMG post with grenade while carrying out a raid. L/Nk Gurudas was awarded Sena Medal for his daring act of evacuating Capt Rampal from the spot. | |||
On the night of 03/ 04 Dec, when the Kirantis were spearheading their way to Buschi, the Battalion created history by capturing | |||
06 Officers including the CO, 8 JCOs and 202 OR of 25 Baloch Frontier Force near Hilalnagar. Subsequently, on 05 Dec, the Battalion | |||
led by C Coy under Maj NS Shekhawat cleared Mudafarganj town in a lightning day light attack and secured two important bridges. | |||
The Kirantis showed utmost bravery and dedication when on 07 Dec 1971, Pak Army launched two Counter Attacks to siege the bridge and they were beaten back not once but twice. Maj BKD Badgel continued to fight and organise the defences even after being shot through his arm. For this dare devil act and unflinching leadership, Maj BKD Badgel was awarded Vir Chakra. | |||
On 09 Dec 1971, the Bn joined the brigade at Chandpur. On morning of 11 Dec 1971, the Pakistanis again tasted the metal of Khukri when an enemy gunboat carrying soldiers and a White Flag fired treacherously on the Bn when they were affecting a surrender. | |||
Bn on 14 Dec 1971 ,reached the other end of Daudkandi wherein they were heli-lifted to Kuripara. The Meghna heli bridge was the first ever joint Air Force and Army operation since Independence and it greatly expedited the termination of hostilities. The aim of the operation was to facilitate rapid movement of Indian troops over Meghna, as the existing bridges were destroyed by Pak forces to delay move of 4 Corps. The Bn took up a daring task of establishing a bridge head across Meghna river in area Godnail so as to facilitate their infiltration up to Jalkhundi. Capt RV Ram yet again lead A Company on assault craft and in no time established a foot | |||
hold on the other bank. | |||
The Battalion was part of the deadliest thrust of 23 Infantry Division and 4 Corps operations and fulfilled all tasks allotted in | |||
ample manner. During the entire operations the first inflicted heavy casualty on the enemy including 33 | |||
killed and one wounded. | |||
The Battalion earned One | |||
Vir Chakra, two Sena Medals, two Mentioned in Dispatches & one Vishisth Seva Medal | |||
for excellent operational performance. After the liberation of Bangladesh, the Bn returned to Misamari in Mar 1972 and stayed uptill | |||
16 Aug 72 before finally moving to Dalhousie. | |||
===Kargil War=== | ===Kargil War=== | ||
During the [[Kargil War]] in 1999, the 1st battalion (1/11 GR) saw extensive action. Commanded by [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] [[Lalit Rai]], it was tasked with the capture of several strategic peaks in the Kargil region. [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]] was a young officer in 1/11 GR, who was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]] (PVC), India's highest gallantry award, for his actions in Batalik sector. | During the [[Kargil War]] in 1999, the 1st battalion (1/11 GR) saw extensive action. Commanded by [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] [[Lalit Rai]], it was tasked with the capture of several strategic peaks in the Kargil region. The crowning moment of paltan's history came during the 1999 Indo Pak Kargil conflict. After a successful Siachen tenure, the Bn was concentrated at Nurla for de-induction. The advance party had already reached Pune and the ECC clothing issued to the unit had been deposited. Bulk of the weapons had been handed over to the relieving unit. It was in these circumstances that on 08 May 99, the battalion became the first unit to be inducted in the Kargil war. It was only on 02 Jun 99 that Col Lalit Rai, took over the reins of the paltan. Not to be disheartened by adversities, the ‘KIRANTIS’ in a trail of glory wiped out the enemy conquering Khalubar, Kukarthang, Point 5289, Point 5190, Point 5300 and Tekri in their stride thus proving once again that they are the best fighters in the world. | ||
During the attack on 'Area Bunker', [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]], in spite of being injured in shoulder and leg, single handedly destroyed one enemy bunker after another until he finally received a fatal UMG burst on his forehead. Inspired by his spontaneous valour, the KIRANTIS struck like lightning upon the enemy until not a single one was left standing. | |||
For this act of exceptional bravery, [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]] was posthumously awarded the highest gallantry award the ‘PARAM VIR CHAKRA’. Apart from [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]], 13 other braves made the supreme sacrifice and immortalized themselves in the annals of history. Col Lalit Rai, | |||
Hav Bhim Bahadur Dewan and Lance Naik Gyanendra Rai were awarded the Vir Chakra. In recognition of its good work, the battalion was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Unit Citation, 2nd time within the decade. The battalion was bestowed with Battle Honour, 'BATALIK' and theatre honour, 'KARGIL'. Also, 'The First' entered the exclusive club of those rarest of the rare units of the Indian Army to have won both the ‘Param Vir Chakra’ and the ‘Ashok Chakra’ thus earning the coveted title of being 'The Bravest of the Brave'. [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]] was a young officer in 1/11 GR, who was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]] (PVC), India's highest gallantry award, for his actions in Batalik sector. | |||
==Units== | ==Units== | ||
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*4th Battalion was disbanded | *4th Battalion was disbanded | ||
In addition, the [[Sikkim Scouts]] regiment, which was formed in 2013, is affiliated with the regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corecommunique.com/army-vice-chief-unveils-the-flag-of-sikkim-scouts/|title=Army Vice Chief Unveils the Flag of Sikkim Scouts|date=24 May | In addition, the [[Sikkim Scouts]] regiment, which was formed in 2013, is affiliated with the regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corecommunique.com/army-vice-chief-unveils-the-flag-of-sikkim-scouts/|title=Army Vice Chief Unveils the Flag of Sikkim Scouts|date=24 May 2022}}</ref> | ||
==Battle and theatre honours== | ==Battle and theatre honours== | ||
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;Ashok Chakra | ;Ashok Chakra | ||
* Capt. | * Capt. [[Man Bahadur Rai]] | ||
* Rfn. Sal Bahadur | * Rfn. Sal Bahadur | ||
* 2Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt | * 2Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt (Posthumous) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https:// | * [https://assn11gr.org/index.php?banner=no 11 Gorkha Rifles Official website] | ||
{{Indian Army Infantry Regiments}} | {{Indian Army Infantry Regiments}} | ||