Units

The Parachute Regiment

Regimental Uniform of the Parachute Regiment
    Regimental Insignia of the Parachute Regiment (left). Insignia of the Para Commandos is at right. Image ?? Counter Terror & Hostage Rescue
  • Regimental Centre: Bangalore with the training establishment at Agra. Recruit training is imparted at Bangalore whereas Para training is imparted at Agra.
  • Regimental Insignia: An open parachute with wings spread out and a dagger placed upright, between the wings. The other badge, shown on the right, is used by the four Parachute (Special Forces) Battalions.
  • Motto: Shatrujeet (The Conqueror).
  • Regimental Battalions:
    .................................5th Battalion
    .................................6th Battalion
    .................................7th Battalion
    .................................8th Battalion ------> 16 Mahar ------> 12 Mech. Inf.
    .................................1st Battalion (former 1 Punjab) ----------> 1 Para (SF)
    .................................2nd Battalion (former 3 Maratha LI) ------> 2 Para (SF)
    .................................3rd Battalion (former 1 Kumaon) ----------> 3 Para (SF)
    .................................4th Battalion ----------------------------> 4 Para (SF)
    .................................9th Battalion ----------------------------> 9 Para (SF)
    .................................10th Battalion ---------------------------> 10 Para (SF)
    .................................21st Battalion (former 21 Maratha LI) -----> 21 Para (SF)
  • Post-Independence

    As recognition of it's distinguished service, the regiment was presented its new colours by the President on 06 October 1967. The regiment's first post-independence battle was when 2 Para was dropped near Tangail in Bangladesh on 11 December 1971 and was also the first unit of the Indian Army to enter Dacca. The 9 and 10 Para Commandos proved their mettle in 1971 by conducting lighting raids in Mandhol (across Munawar Tawi) and in Chachro (Sind) respectively. The regiment took active part in Operation Vijay (Liberation of Goa) in 1961 and in Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka) with nearly 80% of the Regiment deployed in the Island in 1987-89. The 3 Para and 6 Para conducted operations in aid of the Government of Maldives in 1988 under Operation Cactus.

    The Parachute Regiment have, in addition to their participation in other countries, formed part of the United Nation Operations in Gaza and Korea. Today, the regiment is perhaps the only one in the Indian Army to have taken part in every theatre and every operation in and outside the country. All bandsmen of the regiment are parachute-trained as well. The Para Commando battalions of the Regiment have been re-designated as Parachute (Special Forces) battalions. On 01 February 1996, the 21 Maratha Light Infantry joined the Regiment designated as 21 Parachute (Special Forces) and was raised by Colonel V.B. Shinde. In 2001, the 2 Para was re-designated as the 2 Para (SF) which makes it the fifth Para Commando battalion in the Indian Army. The second recipient of the Ashoka Chakra is Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri of 9 Para. The first recipient of the Ashoka Chakra is not known.

    Para Perspectives - Sainik Samachar