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The Rashtriya Rifles is celebrating its Silver Jubilee on 01 Oct 2015. It was raised on 01 Oct 1990 by the then COAS Gen VN Sharma with Lt Gen PC Monkotia as the first Director General of Rashtriya Rifles. Three of the six Rashtriya Rifles battalions initially raised were deployed in Punjab and three in J&K. Impetus was given by Gen BC Joshi under whom major expansion took place, including a Rashtriya Rifles sector being raised in the North East. Later, all Rashtriya Rifles battalions moved to J&K and since then, Rashtriya Rifles has been engaged in low intensity conflict in J&K only. The present Director General of Rashtriya Rifles is Lt Gen Sandeep Singh.

The continuous employment of Army in Counter Insurgency duties along with existing conventional threat warranted a specially structured and organised force to deal with India’s internal security situation. A credible force was required to be raised to deal with frequent deployment of Army’s formations and units in internal security, which could also provide support to the Indian Army during conventional conflicts. Rashtriya Rifles was raised with 100% personnel on deputation from the Indian Army, from all Arms and services, on an all India/ all class basis. Rashtriya Rifles has neutralised a total of 16,368 terrorists, which includes 8,522 killed, 6,737 apprehended and 1,109 surrendered. The Force has recovered a huge quantity of warlike stores till date.

Rashtriya Rifles is not only involved in defeating the menace of terrorism but is simultaneously assisting in grass root development and winning over the locals by carrying out Sadbhavana activities. Multifarious civic action programs, aimed towards improving the standard of living, social, education and cultural upliftment of the populace, providing vocational trg of youth, ensuring their general empowerment, contributing to education of women and a host of such people centric initiatives are in progress. Honours and awards won by Rashtriya Rifles Force include 06 Ashok Chakras, 34 Kirti Chakras, 221 Shaurya Chakras and 1508 Sena Medals.

Col Rohan Anand, SM
PRO (Army)