69th Armoured Regiment (India)

69 Armoured Regiment is an armoured regiment of the Indian Army.

69 Armoured Regiment
Active1968 – present
Country India
AllegianceIndia
Branch Indian Army
TypeArmoured Corps
SizeRegiment
Motto(s)एकता मान वीरता
"Ekta-Maan-Virta" (Unity, Honour, Bravery)
EquipmentT-72
Battle honoursBogra
East Pakistan
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Maj Gen Sudhir Bahl[1]
Insignia
Abbreviation69 Armd Regt

Formation

The regiment was raised on 1 October 1968 at Ahmednagar. It was then manned mainly by troops drawn from the Regiment of Artillery and Infantry battalions.[2] It has an all-India all-class composition, drawing troops from various castes and religions.[3]

Equipment

The regiment was initially equipped with PT-76 tanks, which also took part during 1971 War. The regiment presently has the T-72 tanks.

Operations
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

The regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pawittar Singh was part of the XXXIII Corps and saw action in the Northwestern sector in the liberation of Bangladesh.[4][5]

It captured Charkai on 4 December 1971.[6] The regiment less one squadron along with a combat group of 2/5 Gorkha Rifles advanced along the Nawabganj-Chandipur-Lal Dighi Bazaar-Pirganj axis. It captured Chandipur town and Pirganj on 7 December 1971.[7][8] The regiment along with one squadron of 63 Cavalry and 6 Guards grouped under Lieutenant Colonel Pawittar Singh captured Palasbari on 9 December 1971.[9]

On 11 and 12 December 1971, the regiment along with 5/11 Gorkha Rifles outflanked the Pakistani defences and established a roadblock across the Karatoya River for the capture of Gobindganj. On December 12, 1971, around 1500 hours, one of the leading tanks of 69 Armoured Regiment was hit and destroyed by an enemy recoilless anti-tank gun from across the banks of the lchhamati Nala. On December 13/14, night, 69 Armoured Regiment less a squadron, with 6 Guards less a company under its command, carried out an outflanking move from the east and established roadblocks on roads Bogra-Sirajganj (southeast of Bogra) and Bogra-Singra (southwest of Bogra). On December 14, Bogra was attacked from two directions – 69 Armoured Regiment from the south of Bogra and 2/5 Gorkha Rifles with A Squadron of 63 Cavalry from the north. Both attacks met with stiff Pakistani resistance in the built-up area. However, after fierce fighting, by 1300 hours, all areas north of the railway line had been cleared. On December 15, troops of Pakistani 205 Infantry Brigade surrendered to 2/5 Gorkha Rifles.[10] The regiment took the surrender of the Pakistani 29th Cavalry on 16 December 1971 at Bogra.[11]

The regiment lost one JCO and nine other ranks during these operations. It won one Vir Chakra, four Sena Medals and two Mention-in-Despatches. The regiment was also conferred with the Battle Honour ‘Bogra’ and the Theatre Honour ‘East Pakistan 1971’.[12]

Other operations

The Regiment has participated and displayed the gallantry in Operation Rakshak between 1991 and 1996. It took part in Operation "Jal Tarang" during the July 1993 floods in Punjab. The regiment was especially involved in the Patran area, which was badly affected by the floods. Two columns of 69 Armoured Regiment were deployed for anti-flood operation from 12 to 20th July 1993 and saved over 2000 lives.[13]

Awards and honours

Regimental Insignia

The Regimental insignia consists of a front facing PT-76 tank with crossed lances with pennons in red and white. The motto of the Regiment is एकता मान वीरता (Ekta-Maan-Virta), which translates to ‘Unity, Honour and Bravery’.


References
  1. "The Gazette of India, No 44, Part I—Sec. 4" (PDF). 2018-11-03. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  2. "Steps afoot to modernise forces, says Kalam in 'The Tribune'". 2003-12-02. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  3. Guatam, PK (2016). Indigenous Historical Knowledge: Kautilya and His Vocabulary, Volume III. IDSA/Pentagon Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-81-8274-909-2.
  4. 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. 73-74.
  5. "India throws in three more divisions on seven fronts in East Pakistan in 'Profile of Bengal'". 1971-12-03. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  6. Rao, KVK (1991). Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security. Lancer Publishers. p. 179. ISBN 978-8172120016.
  7. Singh, Sukhwant (1980). India's Wars Since Independence The Liberation Of Bangladesh, Volume 1. Vikas. ISBN 978-0706910575.
  8. "'Deep Operations' Theory: 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War in 'Indian Defence Review'Issue Vol. 31.4 Oct-Dec 2016". 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  9. Singh, Lachhman (1991). Victory in Bangladesh. Natraj Publishers. ISBN 978-8181580382.
  10. "Battle of Bogra" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  11. "The Sandhu family in 'The Hindustan Times'". 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  12. "Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation". 2003-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  13. "Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation". 2003-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  14. "A tank man who excelled in infantry combat too in 'The Tribune'". 2019-12-07. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  15. "Tanuj Grover, SC". Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  16. "Basta Singh VrC". Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  17. "Kalam presents Colours to 69 Armoured". 2003-12-20. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  18. "Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation". 2003-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
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