Garhwal Rifles

The Garhwal Rifles is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, raised in 1887 at Almora, with its first battalion formed on 5 May 1887. In 1891 it became the 39th (Garhwali) Regiment of the Bengal Infantry, and the "Rifles" title followed in 1892. Wikipedia says its Regimental Centre was set up at Lansdowne on 1 October 1921, that it took the title "Royal" in 1921, and that the title was dropped in 1950 while the red cord stayed.

Before 1947: Wikipedia records that Garhwali battalions fought in France and Flanders and in Mesopotamia in the First World War, and in Malaya, Burma, North Africa and Italy in the Second. The regiment won three Victoria Crosses: Darwan Singh Negi at Festubert, Gabar Singh Negi, posthumously, at Neuve Chapelle, and Lt William David Kenny, posthumously, in Waziristan in 1920.

June 1984: the army's account of Naik Bhawani Datt Joshi places him in the 9th Garhwal Rifles, which took part in Operation Blue Star. On the night of 5 to 6 June 1984 his company was ordered to gain a foothold in the fortified building complex. When the gate was breached, heavy fire pinned down his platoon. He led his section forward, was mortally wounded, and his company took its objective. The citation, which calls the defenders "terrorists", praises his "most conspicuous bravery". He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra after death, the only Ashoka Chakra the regiment has won.

Shahbeg Singh: Wikipedia says Major General Shahbeg Singh was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1942, though SinghStation says the Second Punjab Regiment, and the sources we opened do not settle it. He later helped plan the defence of the complex that Garhwali troops attacked.

Key moments

• 5 May 1887: first battalion raised at Almora.
• 1914 to 1918: two Victoria Crosses in France.
• 1947 to 1948, 1962 and 1971: the regiment wins the honours Tithwal, Nuranang and Hilli, and its battalions fight at Gadra Road and other places in 1965.
• 5 to 6 June 1984: the 9th Battalion in Operation Blue Star.

Where it stands: the regiment is based at Lansdowne, in Uttarakhand, and Wikipedia counts 21 regular battalions.