Veterans of Mahar Regiment located in Pune organise a grand ceremony to honour the gallant and heroic action of NINE MAHAR displayed on 03 September during Indo-Pakistan War 1965.  It was on this day when under the leadership of Lt Col DN Singh (Later Brigadier), the then Commanding Officer of Nine MAHAR Regiment, the Battalion successfully defended the treacherous feature of Troti in Akhnoor Sector, Jammu & Kashmir under operation Riddle.

9th Battalion the Mahar Regiment was raised on 01 Oct 1962 at Saugor as MMG Battalion. One year after raising, the Battalion was converted into an Infantry Battalion. This conversion involved changes in weapons, equipment, training, organisation and basic functioning of the Battalion.

In June 1965, Nine MAHAR within just three years of raising was deployed in Samba Sector of Jammu & Kashmir.  With Commencement of hostilities, the battalion was moved overnight under 41 Mountain Brigade at Jaurian, Akhnoor and was ordered to guard the Troti feature dominating the main Chhamb-Jaurian road.  On reaching Troti on mid night of 1st/ 2nd September 1965, the battalion barely got four hours to prepare its defences when it faced heavy air attacks from enemy the next morning.  On 3rd September 1965, starting from 0700 hours, Pakistan used all its might to capture Troti including bombardment by Air, Artillery and later in the night attacking the valiant NINE MAHAR troops with overwhelming numbers of Infantry supported by a Regiment of Patton tanks.

The battalion under the inspiring leadership of Lt Col DN Singh and Officers like Maj SV Sathe and Maj Vikram Chavan, blunted the attack in a bloody battle of close support enemy fire, hand to hand fighting and trench warfare.  Nine MAHAR stood its ground resolutely and never gave an inch to the enemy.  In this ferocious battle which lasted three Consecutive nights, seventeen brave men gave the ultimate sacrifice and helped the unit earn the prestigious Battle Honour “Jaurian Kalit” and “Theater honour Jammu & Kashmir”.

Major General P Sherlekar and Brigadier Arun Adhikari, both reputed and highly respected veterans of Mahar Regiment were present during the function to honour the two war heroes, Major SV Sathe and Lt Col Vikram Chavan, who were the examples of bold leadership in this battle under adverse conditions.  To commemorate this function, Lt Gen Bansi Poonnappa, Colonel of the Mahar Regiment also released a social video message for the battalion and exalted the spirit of Mahar Regiment and its soldiers for their splendid performance in the Battle of ‘Jaurian Kalit’.    

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MI/PK

 

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