1889 Missile Regiment (India)

1889 Missile Regiment (Kargil) is a missile equipped regiment, which is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

BrahMos missiles of the regiment during rehearsal of Republic Day Parade, January 2016

1889 Missile Regiment
Active	1976 - present
Country	India
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Army
Type	Artillery
Size	Regiment
Nickname(s)	The Mighty Bombardiers
Motto(s)	Sarvatra, Izzat-O-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory) Maan Ya Mrityu (Glory or Death)
Colors	"Red & Navy Blue"
Equipment	BrahMos
Battle honours	Kargil

History

The regiment was raised as 1889 (Independent) Light Battery in 1976. It was converted to a light regiment and is now a missile regiment.

Operations

• Operation Rakshak – Counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Kargil War – The regiment was equipped with 120 mm Brandt mortars^[1] and was de-inducted from the Kashmir valley along with 8 Mountain Artillery Brigade for Operation Vijay on 3 June 1999.^[2] It saw action during the Kargil war and was awarded the honour title Kargil.^[3][4] The unit provided Artillery Observation Posts (OP) and fire plans during the Battle of Tololing. It provided OP in the Battle of Point 5140 and for attack on Black Rock. During the Battle of Point 4700, the regiment deployed its mortars right under the nose of the enemy. It took part in the fierce Battle of Tiger Hill and Battle of Point 4875 (Gun Hill).^[5][6]

Motto

The motto of the regiment is मान या मृत्यु (Maan Ya Mrityu), which translates to 'Glory or Death'.

Gallantry awards

• Sena Medal – Lieutenant Colonel Girish Kumar Mediratta, Captain Ganesh Bhat, Captain Prashant Narayan Kamath, Subedar Bhanwar Singh (posthumous), Lance Naik Mukesh Kumar (posthumous),^[7][8] Gunner Avtar Singh.^[9]
• Mentioned in dispatches – Major Anil Singh^[10]
• COAS Commendation Card – Lance Naik Rahul Yadav.^[11]

Achievements

• The regiment was awarded GOC-in-C, Northern Command Unit Citation in 2000.
• The regiment was awarded GOC-in-C, South Western Command Unit Citation in 2018.^[12]
• The Regiment had the honour of participating in the annual Republic Day parade in 2016.^[13]

See also

• List of artillery regiments of Indian Army

References

1. S Ludra, Kuldip (2000). The Kargil strike: A study of the failure of Indian strategic thought. T.K.S. Ludra. p. 187. ISBN 978-81-901218-9-7.
2. Puri, Mohinder (2015). Kargil: Turning the Tide. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-8170623120.
3. "The Battle of Tololing" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-10-26.
4. "Topekhana and Random Thoughts". 2020-08-01. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
5. "Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter 3" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-10-26.
6. Saxena, Shikha Akhilesh (2023). Nation First. Hachette India. ISBN 978-9357311663.
7. "Independence Day Gallantry Awards For Operation Vijay" (PDF). 1999-05-15. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
8. "Gallantary Awards Awarded To The Fighters Of The Kargil Conflict" (PDF). 2000-07-27. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
9. "Gnr Avtar Singh". Retrieved 2023-10-26.
10. Mayadas, Lt Gen M (1999). How the Bofors Affair Transformed India, 1989-1999. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-1897829646.
11. "List Of Personnel Being Awarded Coas Commendation On The Occasion Of Independence Day-2023" (PDF). 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
12. "Sapta Shakti Command Investiture Ceremony for the award of 'Unit Citations' to units, for professional excellence in various fields, was held at Jaipur Military Station today. 14 Units were awarded these Citations by Lt General Cherish Mathson, GOC-in-C, South Western Command". 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
13. "Republic Day parade highlights: India showcases military might, cultural diversity". 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2023-10-25.