9 PARACHUTE FIELD REGIMENT – GOLDEN JUBILEE

9 Parachute Field Regiment was raised on the 1st of April 1943 at Kumbergaon near Pune as 9 Field Regiment of the Royal Indian Army and was converted as Ist Parachute Field Regiment of the Indian Sub-continent in November 1945.

Between 1946 and 1948 this unit was one of the active regiments, which looked after the internal security duties at Quetta, Karachi and Satara. This unit has also had the distinction of being a part of ‘Operation Polo’ in 1948 and ‘Operation Vijay’ in 1961, the culmination of which was capture of Daman. For the second time the unit again changed over to the Parachute Field in 1966 and played an extremely important role as part of the ‘Operation Cactus Lily’ which was the main operation for the capture of Nagi Post in Sriganganagar Sector.

In recent times this unit has served the country very well, looking after internal security duties in Assam between 1982 and 1983 and in Kashmir Valley in 1988 as part of ‘Operation Rakshak’. This unit also participated as one of the parties that captured the Siachin Glacier under ‘Operation Meghdoot’. Both in peace and war, this unit has produced the finest Generals, toughest gunners and highly adventurous sportsmen in the Indian Army.

Amongst the rare distinctions to, its credit, this unit boasts of having 56 of its officers becoming Flag Officers: One para Commanding Officer rose to the rank of the Vice Chief of the British Army and one of its officers is today the Chief of the Army Staff.

Beginning as the first unit in the Indian Sub-continent, to be a Parachute Field Regiment in 1945, the unit has now taken part in all army operations since Ist April 1943. It has been a golden innings for the last 50 years and the 9 Parachute Field Regiment dedicates itself to the defence of its country and security of her countrymen.

Text Source. 9 Parachute Field Regiment

Credits: The stamp, First Day cover & cancellation designs were supplied by 9 Parachute Field Regiment.

Date of Issue: 1.4.93

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