The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment traces its origin to the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir
Maharaja Gulab Singh, the first ruler of Jammu and Kashmir raised this Force in 1820 at Jammu. The earlier exploits of the Regiment includes the annexation of the entire Hill Region of Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
General Zorawar Singh, who had joined the State Forces in 1823, assisted in expansion of the state's territory to include
Ladakh,
Baltistan,
Tibet,
Gilgit,
Yasin,
Darel,
Hunza Nagar,
Chilas and
Chitral between 1834 and 1895.
Pre-Independence on 24 June 1916.
World War I Maharaja Pratap Singh offered three Infantry Battalions and one Mountain Battery for service under the British during the
First World War. The Regiment saw action in the East Africa, Palestine and Mesopotamia and won the Battle Honours of
Megiddo,
Nablus,
Kilimanjaro,
Behobeho,
Palestine and
Sharon. The Regiment was honoured with a total of 31 decorations. Following the war, the troops were welcomed on a grand scale at the
Jammu Railway Station, following which the returning battalions marched through Jammu City displaying their war trophies, which included the German insignia – the Brass Eagle, the German flag and German artillery.
Third Afghan War Immediately after the First World War, the 1st Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Battery and 1 Jammu and Kashmir Infantry participated in the
Third Afghan War and were awarded 23 Meritorious Service Medals.
World War II The Regiment saw
action in Burma where 23 of its person were decorated. Two Battle Honours,
Kennedy Peak and
Meiktila were awarded to the Regiment.
Post-Independence 1947 Jammu and Kashmir operations The greatest trial of the Regiment came in the
Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948. All nine Battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were strung over 500 miles of the frontier, from
Kathua in the South to
Leh in the North. Although outnumbered and partially compromised by internal betrayal, the units resistance managed to delay the attacking force. This delay proved strategically critical, as it allowed time for the State of Jammu and Kashmir to accede to India and for Indian forces to intervene, thereby influencing the outcome of the conflict. A total of 18 Officers, 37 Junior Commissioned Officers, 1194 Other ranks and 34 Non Combatants laid their life during the war. The regiment was awarded with two Maha Vir Chakras (including the first
Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India awarded to Late Brigadier Rajinder Singh), 18
Vir Chakras and 52 Mentioned in Despatches.
1956 Husainiwala Operations On 18 March 1956 a Pakistani force launched an attack against 4 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, then deployed to guard
Husainiwala Headworks. During the clash the enemy suffered heavy casualties and the Unit was awarded one Ashok Charka, one Kirti Chakra and one Shaurya Chakra.
Merger With Indian Army Due to its valiant actions over the years including 1947–48 operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Regiment was amalgamated embloc into the Indian Army on 15 January 1957 without any dilution in rank structure and came to be known as Jammu and Kashmir Regiment. In February 1963, the Regiment was redesignated as Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.
Indo-China War – 1962 2 and 3 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles participated in
1962 war with China, wherein three Officers, 82 Other Ranks and eight Non Commissioned Employees made supreme sacrifice of their life in
Bomdila Sector and the Regiment was awarded with one Mentioned-in-Despatch.
Indo-Pak War – 1965 Seven of the eleven Battalions of the Regiment (3,4,5,6,7,8 & 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) participated in
1965 war, wherein seven Officers and 167 men were killed in the line of duty. 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was awarded with the Battle Honour of
Asal Uttar and Theatre Honour
Punjab for operations in
Khem Karan Sector. Five persons of the Regiment were decorated.
Indo-Pak War – 1971 All the 14 Battalions (1 to 14 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) of the Regiment participated in the
1971 War both at the Eastern and Western fronts. 76 soldiers of the regiment laid their lives. 1 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was awarded with the Battle Honour of
Syam Ganj and Theatre Honour
East Pakistan during the liberation of Bangladesh. 12 persons of the Regiment were awarded with gallantry medals.
Kargil War 13, 14 and 19 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 28 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion and Ladakh Scouts took part in
Operation Vijay. During the war, the regiment won 2
Param Vir Chakras, 8
Vir Chakras, 2
Yudh Seva Medals, 16
Sena Medals and 8
COAS Commendation Cards. In recognition of the exceptional account given by 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in the capture of its objectives, the unit has been awarded the Battle Honours of
Dras and
Mushkoh, the Theatre Honour of
Kargil, along with the
Bravest of the brave honour. ==Class composition==