90th Armoured Regiment (India)

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

90 Armoured Regiment
Active1979 – present
Country India
AllegianceIndia
Branch Indian Army
TypeArmoured Corps
SizeRegiment
Motto(s)सम्मान या बलिदान
"Samaan Ya Balidaan" ("Death before dishonour")
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Lt Gen PS Mehta AVSM, VSM[1]
Insignia
Abbreviation90 Armd Regt

Formation

90 Armoured Regiment was raised on 15 August 1979 by amalgamating three Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons of the Indian Army Armoured Corps. 90 Independent Reconnaissance Squadron belonged to The Poona Horse, 92 Independent Reconnaissance Squadron belonged to 18 Cavalry and 93 Independent Reconnaissance Squadron belonged to 65 Armoured Regiment.

Though raised before a number of other Armoured Regiments, it took the number “90” from the senior most among the Reconnaissance Squadrons that amalgamated to form this regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Manjit Singh Sawhney of 18 Cavalry was the first Commandant while Ris Maj Bhanwar Khan of 92 Indep Recce Sqn was the first Risaldar Major. The regiment was raised under 10th Infantry Division at Pawan Da Chak in Jammu and Kashmir. The reconnaissance squadrons merged completely with their men and equipment.

History

Operations

All three squadrons took part in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. 90 (Independent) Reconnaissance Squadron with AMX-13 tanks was under 16 Independent Armoured Brigade of 54 Infantry Division in Shakargarh sector.[2] 92 (Independent) Reconnaissance Squadron with their PT-76 tanks was part of the 163 Infantry Brigade and was in the Foxtrot (F) Sector. 93 (Independent) Reconnaissance Squadron, which was raised on 1 April 1970 with AMX-13 tanks was part of the 1st Armoured Division and saw action in the Punjab theatre.[3][4]


Major Balraj Sharma of the regiment, while attached to 10 JAK LI was part of a counter-insurgency operation at Mongbung, Manipur. He and his quick reaction team were responsible for killing seven insurgents on 18 November 1995.[5] He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his gallantry.[6]

Regimental Insignia

The Regimental insignia consists of crossed lances with pennons of the regimental colours of grey and red. There is the numeral "90" inscribed on the crossing of the lances, mounted with the "mailed fist" or gauntlet and a scroll at the base with the Regimental Motto in Devanagari script. The shoulder title consists of the numeral "90" in brass.

The Regimental motto is सम्मान या बलिदान (Samaan Ya Balidaan), which translates to "Death before dishonour".

References
  1. "The Gazette of India, No 11" (PDF). 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  2. Praval, KC (2009). Indian Army After Independence. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-1935501107.
  3. Sandhu, GS (1981). The Indian Armour: History of the Indian Armoured Corps, 1941-1971. Vision Books. ISBN 978-8170940043.
  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. 86-88.
  5. "The Gazette of India, No 48" (PDF). 1996-11-30. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  6. "Balraj Sharma SC". Retrieved 2020-11-22.
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