Winter has slowed everyone down. Many plants and animals have gone dormant in order to preserve energy and survive the harsh conditions. It is difficult to get out of bed and face the day in the frigid mornings. Because of the unusually cold weather, homeless individuals have grown vulnerable to illness and even death. Despite all these hard conditions, Indian troops placed on LoC are defending country’s border, preserving country’s sovereignty, and are following by Indian army’s slogan ‘Service before self’. Our warriors’ determination, disciplined lifestyle, and unrivalled patriotism are admirable.
The Indian army existed long before India’s independence. It evolved from the East India Company’s forces, which subsequently became the British Indian Army, as well as the Princely States Armies, also known as Imperial Service Troops. Following India’s independence, all of these forces were amalgamated into the National Army of India. Every year on January 15th, India observes Indian Army Day. This day commemorates the transfer of military power from the British to India, when the Indian Army received its first Indian Commander in Chief, Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa, who took over from the final British Commander in Chief of India, General Francis Bucher, in 1949. On this day, we salute our warriors who give their life in the service of their country.
Though we have all heard that the Indian Army is one of the world’s largest militaries, you may not be aware that the Indian Army is the world’s largest all-volunteer force, with over 81,000 active personnel and a support element of about 1,160,000 troops. The Indian army operates on a regimental structure, with enlisted troops often spending their whole career in the regiment. Some regiments are founded on the basis of religious, ethnic, or regional identities (for example, the Gorkha Regiment, the Sikh Regiment, the Assam Regiment, and so on), but there are other regiments that are not confined to ethnic, religious, or regional identities (e.g. the parachute regiment and the Brigade of Guards). They are organised into seven commands based on location and operation: Army Training Command, Central Command, Eastern Command, Northern Command, Southern Command, South Western Command, and Western Command.
In the last 75 years, the Indian Army has fought five engagements, four with Pakistan and one with China. India humiliated Pakistan four times in four wars. Apart from fighting these battles, the Indian army has carried out several operations to ensure the protection of our homeland. As vigilantly as the Indian Army guards the country by standing on the border, they fight with their lives on the country’s internal frontiers. The highly capable Indian Army may also be part in various peacekeeping operations organised by the United States of America. Some of these peacekeeping missions took place in Lebanon, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, and a variety of other places.
The Indian Army has carried out the following important operations:
The Indian Army conducted Operation Vijay in 1961 to liberate Goa from Portuguese domination.
Operation Blue Star- Who can forget the Indian Army’s ongoing attempts to defend the Golden Temple and the people inside it from the clutches of Sikh separatists in 1984.
Operation Black Thunder- DGP Gill conducted Operation Black Thunder to remove terrorists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Operation Poomalai- The Indian Air Force launched Operation Poomalai in 1987 to assist the Indian Army Defense Force, which had gone to create peace in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Operation Virat- A counter-insurgency operation started against the LTTE in northern Sri Lanka in April 1988.
The Indian Peace Keeping Force began Operation Trishul, together with Operation Viraat, against the LTTE in northern Sri Lanka in April 1988.
Campaign Checkmate- In June 1988, the Indian Peace Keeping Force started a counter-insurgency operation against the LTTE in northern Sri Lanka.
Operation Cactus- The Indian Armed Forces conducted Operation Cactus in 1988 to remove mercenaries who had carried out a coup in Malé, Maldives.
Operation Bajrang- In 1990, a military action against the ULFA was initiated in Assam.
Operation Rhino- In 1992, a military operation was started to locate ULFA strongholds in Assam.
In the 1999 Kargil War, the Indian Army conducted Operation Vijay(2) to force out invaders from the Kargil area.
In reaction to the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, India deployed troops along the India-Pakistan border.
Operation Vajra Sakti- In 2002, a campaign was initiated to free the terrorists from Gandhinagar’s Akshardham temple.
Operation Goodwill- In the year 2005, a campaign for humanitarian action in Jammu and Kashmir was initiated.
Operation Dhangu Suraksha- A military drill held in January 2016 in response to an attack on the Pathankot airfield in Punjab.
Operation Samudra Setu- On 5 May 2020, Operation Samudra Setu was begun as a nationwide effort to return back Indian people from abroad during Covid-19.
The Indian Army is regarded as one of the greatest armies in the world for wars fought on Earth, and these few actions demonstrate this. In the Indian Army, both men and women troops are valued and given equal opportunities. Women’s participation in the Indian Army has risen during the previous six years. According to government figures, there are now 9118 women serving in the Indian Army. They are being awarded permanent commissions in a variety of army departments. The Supreme Court of India determined in 2020 that all female army officers will be entitled for permanent commissions, allowing them to lead. Women in the Indian army have often demonstrated their tenacity.
According to a recent research published by the defence website Military Direct, India is the world’s fourth most powerful military force, trailing only China, the superpower United States, and Russia. The Indian Army is well-equipped with formidable weaponry and equipment. The Indian Army possesses 296 aircraft. There are 4730 tanks and over 10,000 armoured vehicles. In addition, the Army has 100 self-propelled guns and 4040 towed cannons. In addition, there are 374 missile launchers. The Indian Army possesses all of the combat tanks, nuclear weapons, Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, Army Aviation Corps helicopters, and many other sections to handle various things in challenging conditions.
Our troops’ jobs are the most selfless and demanding since they must leave their families, friends, homes, and everything else behind to safeguard the nation and its residents. They defend everyone, regardless of cast, creed, culture, or religion, since everyone is equal to them. They boldly select a job that requires everything of them, ensure the safety of their nation and people, and constantly train to meet this requirement every single day. Our warriors are truly heroes and saviours. The Indian Army is very inspirational.