48 AD Regiment (India)
| 48 Air Defence Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1962 – present |
| Country |  India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Type | Corps of Army Air Defence |
| Size | Regiment |
| Nickname(s) | “Sky Shooters” |
| Motto(s) | Sanskrit: आकाशे शत्रुन् जहि English: Defeat the Enemy in the Sky |
| Colors | Sky Blue and Red |
| Equipment | 40 mm L/70 |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | 48 AD Regt |
48 Air Defence Regiment is an Air Defence regiment of the Indian Army.
Formation[edit]
The regiment was raised on 1 May 1962 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel RTK Foregard as 48 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Deolali.[1]
Equipment[edit]
At the time of its formation, the Regiment was equipped with Bofors 40 mm L-60 anti-aircraft guns. Conversion to 40 mm L/70 guns was started on 20 May 1972 and completed on 27 July 1973. The Upgraded Super Fledermaus (USFM) radar replaced the Super Fledermaus (SFM) radars in September 2000.[1]
Operations[edit]
The regiment has taken part in the following operations-[1]
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1965: The regiment took part in Operation Ablaze and Operation Savage in the Eastern Sector. It protected airfields and critical areas, including deployment over rafts over the Brahmaputra River.
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: The regiment served in both the Western and Eastern Sectors, covering a long period from 20 August 1971 to 12 March 1972. It protected many vital areas during this operation.[2][3][4][5]
- Operation Trident: The regiment took part in this massive exercise in 1987.
- Operation Rakshak I: The regiment was involved in counter-insurgency roles in 1991.
- Operation Rakshak II: The regiment took part in counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley between 1995 and 1997.
- Operation Vijay: The regiment was actively involved between 26 May 1999 and 12 November 1999 in the Western desert.
- Operation Sahayata : The unit was deployed from 27 October 2001 to 5 November 2001 to aid the civilian authorities in the riot hit town of Malegaon
- Operation Parakram: The regiment was fully geared up during this operation between December 2001 and November 2002.
- Officers and men from the regiment have been deputed for anti-terrorist operations as part of Rashtriya Rifles.[6]
Honours and awards[edit]
- The regiment has won the following awards[1][7] -
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal – 1
- Sena Medal – 4
- Vishisht Seva Medal – 1
- Mentioned in dispatches – 1
- COAS Commendation Card – 4[8][9]
- CIDS Commendation Card – 1
- GOC-in-C Commendation Card – 18
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "48 AD-Golden Jubilee Indian Army Postal Cover". 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ Singh, Mandeep (2020). Anti-Aircraft Artillery in Combat, 1950–1972: Air Defence in the Jet Age. Pen and Sword Military. p. 129. ISBN 978-1526762085.
- ^ Gautam, PK (2006). Operation Bangladesh. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-8170492733.
- ^ Praval, KC (1985). The Red Eagles, a History of Fourth Division of India. Vision Books Pvt. Ltd. p. 363. ISBN 978-1851270705.
- ^ Jacob, JFR (2011). Surrender at Dacca: Birth of a Nation. Manohar Publishers and Distributors. ISBN 978-8173041891.
- ^ "Captain Atul Sharma". Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ "Honours and Awards". Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ "COAS Commendation Card 2010". 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ "COAS Commendation Card 2016". 2016-01-15. Retrieved 2021-07-10.