On September 12, 1965, during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the Jat Regiment of the Indian Army penetrated 5o kilometers into Pakistan.
Indian Army Jat Regiment: The Indian Army is the pride of our nation, protecting our borders and freedom from the nefarious designs of the enemy since the country’s Independence from the British in 1947. Over the decades, brave Indian Army soldiers have thwarted Pakistani forces in several wars, and one of the regiments that have sent shivers down the enemy’s spine is the celebrated Jat Regiment, which once penetrated deep into the heart of Pakistan.
Here’s the story of the Jat Regiment’s bravery and valour which many may not know about:
When Indian Army’s Jat Regiment reached Lahore
On September 12, 1965, during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the Jat Regiment of the Indian Army penetrated 5o kilometers into Pakistan. A small force of 550 soldiers of the Jat regiment took the Grand Trunk Road, Asia’s longest road that connects Amritsar and Lahore, to arrive in Dogra, a small settlement near the Eagle Canal, just 13 kilometers away from Lahore.
The brave Indian soldiers displayed phenomenal courage and valor, defeating waves of enemies forces, as they reached close to the enemies heart, and were poised to capture Lahore, and the change the course of history, but before they could move in, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two nations.
The real mission impossible was accomplished by a small force of 550 soldiers of the Jat infantry regiment, out of whom 58 attained martyrdom that historic day.
Jat Regiment: History and origins
Named after the Jat community of northern India, the history of Jat Regiment is over 200 years old, dating as far back as the 1857 sepoy mutiny, often called India’s first war of Independence. As the legend goes, Jat King Nahar Singh was 32 years of age at the time of the 1857 revolution when he sacrificed his life in fighting the British.
According to the story, the British had tried to bribe Nahar Singh and strike a deal with him, but to no avail. Ultimately, they hatched a conspiracy to trap, sending him a fake message that Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar wanted to sign a treaty with him. Nahar Singh arrived in Delhi where he was arrested and booked by the British for “treason”, and later hanged on January 9 at Chandni Chowk.
Nahar Singh’s valour impressed the British who decided to induct Jats into the Army as a separate regiment in Army. Although Jat soldiers were already serving in the army in Malaysia (then British Malaya) in 1985, but the foundation of the first battalion of the Jat Regiment was laid in 1803 as Bengal Native Infantry and then after 1857, when Jats were recruited in almost every branch of the Bengal Army.
The Jat Regiment has its origins in Calcutta Native Militia raised in 1795, which later became an infantry battalion of the Bengal Army. The 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers was formed in 1857, and After 1860, there was a substantial increase in the recruitment of Jats into the British Indian Army.
In 1922, the Jat Regiment was formally given the status of an independent regiment in the Infantry unit of the British Indian Army, when the 9th Jat Regiment was formed by merging four active battalions and one training battalion into a single regiment, and in 1947, it finally became the Jat Regiment we know and admire today.
Jat Regiment battalions, composition
Headquartered in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, the Jat Regiment has 27 Battalions in Indian Army– 21 Regular infantry battalions, 4 Rashtriya Rifles battalions (5 RR, 34 RR, 45 RR and 61 RR), 2 Territorial Army battalions (114 and 151), and Regimental battalions.
Around 89% of the soldiers of the Jat Regiment are recruited from the Hindu Jat community, and rest from Sikh Jats and other castes of North India. In 1955, the regiment adopted its famous battle cry, “Jāt Balwān, Jai Bhagwān (Jat is Powerful, Victory Be to God!)”, which has broke the enemy’s spirit in many a battles.
Jat Regiment accolades and honours
During its decorated history, the Jat Regiment has won 19 Battle Honours between 1839 and 1947, and Five Battle Honours, including 3 Ashok Chakra, 2 Victoria Cross, 2 George Cross, 13 Kirti Chakra, 8 Mahavir Chakra, 3 Military Medal, 53 Shaurya Chakras, 39 Vir Chakras and 343 Sena Medals, post Independence.
One of the longest-serving and most decorated regiments in the Indian Army, the Jat Regiment has been a part of various military operations in India and abroad during its 200-year service history, including fighting in both the World Wars, with several battalions of the Jat Regiment, including the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers, participating in the First World Wars.
