Assam Rifles

Early history The present day Assam Rifles can trace its origins to a paramilitary force known as Cachar Levy which was established by the British in 1835 in the Assam region. The Assam Rifles boasts of being the oldest paramilitary force. With approximately seven hundred and fifty men, this force was formed as a police unit to protect settlements against tribal raids and other assaults as British rule slowly moved towards the north east parts of India. Prior to 1965, this force was under the Ministry of External Affairs, who were looking after NEFA affairs. Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, with Indian Army retaining operational control. From a nominal complement of only five battalions in 1947, it has grown to 46 with several range HQs. 3 training center, and a number of logistics units function under the HQ DGAR, Shillong. The Assam Rifles Public School is a much sought after education institute in the North East. The role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve when in 1950 a devastating earthquake hit the Assam region and the force was called in to assist in the reconstruction of the areas and help in the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by it. Later the force was once again called to undertake a combat role when, during the 1962 Sino-Indian War elements were used to delay the advancing Chinese forces so that the Indian Army could establish its defence lines. == Organization ==

The Assam Rifles consists of a Director General Headquarter in Shillong, 3 Inspectorate General Headquarters, 12 Sector Headquarters, 46 Battalions, one Training Centre and administrative elements with a total authorized strength of 65,143 personnel. HQ IGAR HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles comes next in chain of command after HQ MGAR. It is commanded by an officer of the rank of Major General from the Indian Army and exercises command and control over the sector HQs. Sector HQ The Sector HQ are commanded by Army Officers of the rank of Brigadier from the Army. The Sector HQ exercises direct command and control over the Assam Rifles Battalions deployed in its area of responsibility. Maintenance Group Assam Rifles (MGAR) The Maintenance Groups located at various location provide the requisite administrative support to the Assam Rifles formations and battalions deployed in the field. The MGAR are commanded by officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Army. Workshop The workshop are co-located with the MGAR to provide repair and recovery cover to the field formations. These workshops further provide detachments to the Sector HQs to provide repair and recovery cover as far forward as possible to the battalions. Areas covered The areas covered by the Assam Rifles are themselves divided into sectors: • Assam Rifles North – Kohima, Nagaland • Sector 5 – Poonch, Jammu And Kashmir • Sector 6 – Dimapur, Nagaland • Sector 7 – Tuensang, Nagaland • Sector 25 – Lekhapani, Assam • Assam Rifles South – Imphal, Manipur • Sector 9 – Imphal, Manipur • Sector 10 – Ukhrul South, Manipur • Sector 26 – Thoubal, Manipur • Sector 27 – Churchandrapur, Manipur • Sector 28 – Kakching, Manipur • Assam Rifles East – Silchar, Assam • Sector 21 – Agartala, Tripura • Sector 22 – Haflong, Assam • Sector 23 – Aizawl, Mizoram • Assam Rifles Training Centre & School – Dimapur, Nagaland Battalions • 1 Manipur (1 Assam Rifles) IGAR North • 2 J&K (2 Assam Rifles) (Second to none), Mizoram • 3 Lunglei Battalion (3 Assam Rifles) IGAR East: Tuipang, Mizoram • 4 Mantripukhri Battalion (4 Assam Rifles) • 5 Dimapur Battalion (5 Assam Rifles) • 6 Khonsa Battalion (6 Assam Rifles) IGAR North • 7 Kishtwar Battalion(7 Assam Rifles)jammu and Kashmir • 8 Chassad Battalion (8 Assam Rifles): • 9 Jaluki Nagaland (9 Assam Rifles) • 10 Noney Battalion (10 Assam Rifles) • 11 Haflong Battalion (11 Assam Rifles) (Double First) IGAR East • 12 Joypur Battalion (12 Assam Rifles) • 13 Kohima (13 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 14 Samatur Nagaland (14 Assam Rifles) • 15 Sajik Tampak Battalion (15 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 16 Keithelmanbi Battalions (16 Assam Rifles) IGAR South: Imphal East District, Manipur. • 17 Lokra Battalion (17 Assam Rifles) • 18 Agartala Battalion (18 Assam Rifles) • 19 Jairampur Battalion (19 Assam Rifles) (Magnificent Nineteen)IGAR North • 20 Tengnoupal Battalion (20 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 21 Modi Battalion (21 Assam Rifles) • 22 Ghaspani Battalion (22 Assam Rifles) (Bais Bahadur) Nagaland • 23 Mokokchung Battalion (23 Assam Rifles) IGAR North • 24 Longding Battalion (24 Assam Rifles) • 25 Thalela J&K (25 Assam Rifles) • 26 Paribal Tekri Battalion (26 Assam Rifles) (Ujjawal Chhabbees), Jammu & Kashmir • 27 Thoubal Battalion (27 Assam Rifles) (Magnificiant Hornbills) • 28 Shoor Veer Battalion (28 Assam Rifles) IGAR North • 29 Uttam Untees Battalion (29 Assam Rifles) • 30 Joupi Battalion (30 Assam Rifles) • 31 Loktak Battalion (31 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 32 Zunheboto Battalion (32 Assam Rifles) (Tenacious Thirtytwo) • 33 Maram Battalion (33 Assam Rifles); Chandel District, Manipur • 34 Wusan Battalion (34 Assam Rifles), Jammu & Kashmir • 35 Somsai Battalion (35 Assam Rifles) • 36 Jalukie Battalion (36 Assam Rifles) IGAR North • 37 Phundrei Battalion (37 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 38 Shukhuvi Battalion (38 Assam Rifles) • 39 Srikona Battalion (39 Assam Rifles B & D Coy) • 40 Shangshak Battalion (40 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 41 Kiphire Battalion (41 Assam Rifles): Kiphire Dist, Nagalan • 42 Serchhip Battalions (42 Assam Rifles) Mizoram • 43 Moreh Battalion (43 Assam Rifles) IGAR South • 44 Tamenglong Battalion (44 Assam Rifles) IGAR East • 45 Chiswama Kohima(45 Assam Rifles) • 46 Khuga Battalion (46 Assam Rifles) NDRF Battalion • 13 Bn NDRF, Samba, Jammu & Kashmir == Decorations ==

Members of the Assam Rifles have received the following military decorations - ;Pre – Independence Awards ;Post – Independence Awards == Director General of Assam Rifles ==

The Director General Assam Rifles (DG AR) is the head of the Assam Rifles. The DG AR maintains an office in the Headquarters DG AR at Shillong. Appointed by the Government of India, the DG AR reports to the Minister of Home Affairs. The holder of this rank is a Lieutenant General of the Indian Army. The position is currently held by Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera. == Rank structure ==

;Officers ;Enlisted ranks Historic rank structure ;Enlisted ranks == See also ==