Infantry Regiments

The Ladakh Scouts

 alt

  • Regimental Centre: Jammu & Kashmir - 1971.
  • Regimental Insignia: An Urial native to the Ladakh mountains.
  • Motto: Not Known.
  • War Cry: Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo (Victory to the Gods).
  • Regimental Battalions: 1st Battalion (former 7th JAK LI)
    .................................2nd Battalion (former 14th JAK LI)

Post-Independence

  • Theatre Honours: Jammu & Kashmir - 1971.
  • Battle Honours: Turtuk - 1971.
  • Honours & Awards: 1 Ashoka Chakra, 10 Maha Vir Chakra, 4 Vir Chakra, 2 Kirti Chakra, 3 Sena Medals and 1 Chief of Army Staff's Banner.
  • Note: The Ladakh Scouts was raised on 01 June 1963, following the debacle in the 1962 Indo-China War, with just eight companies. Also known as the 'Snow Warriors', the Regiment has taken part, and proved itself, in various operations since the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Colonel Chewang Rinchen, MVC & Bar, SM, (Retd.) joined the Army (J&K Militia) as the youngest Junior Commissioned Officer in 1947, at the tender age of 17½. He won the first Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for the Regiment in the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir operations. He won another MVC for the Regiment in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Later on in his distinguished military career, Colonel Rinchen was appointed the Honourary Colonel of the Ladakh Scouts. The Regiment was one of the first units to take part in Operation Vijay - the 1999 Kargil Conflict - and covered itself with glory during the conflict. Major Sonam Wangchuk, was the most recent recipient of the MVC for the Regiment in the Kargil Conflict. The Ladakh Scouts was recently given the status of a full infantry regiment and more battalions are planned to be raised.

Lama Fauj...Stalking the Enemy - Deccan Herald