Posted on 11/10/2011 9:58:02 AM PST by ravager
NEW DELHI: India's most decorated Army unit is celebrating its 125th anniversary at Almora on Thursday.
The second Battalion of the Fifth Gorkha Rifles Frontier Force has the unique distinction of having won three Victoria Crosses - British equivalent of Param Vir Chakra, the highest war-time gallantry award -- during the World War II, besides being the unit of many legendary warriors. Several veterans of the unit are assembling from all over, including many from Nepal, at Almora to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its raising in Abbottabad in Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden was recently killed by US forces.
The 2/5 Gorkhas is the only Army unit to have won three Victoria Crosses, earning them the title of "VC Paltan". Two of these three VCs were won in a single action over 24 hours in 1944 at Mortar Bluff near Imphal, one posthumously by Subedar Netra Bahadur Thapa. The other recipient in the operation was Naik Agansingh Rai, who along with Thapa won back Mortar Bluff, a strategic picket, from the Japanese.
The third VC of the unit, which was the first to be won in World War II by the battalion, was for Havaldar Gaje Ghale, who was presented the VC by Queen Elizabeth.
The battalion played key roles in the Hyderabad police action in 1949 led by Gen J N Chaudhry, in the 1965 and 1971 wars and numerous counterinsurgency operations including Kashmir. The unit has won two Maha Vir Chakras, three Vir Chakras and several other medals in the post-Independence period.
Lt Gen Zorawar Bakshi, who won Maha Vir Chakra for Hajipir Pass in 1965 and is the most decorated soldier of the Indian Army, is among the many celebrated officers of the unit.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
That’s an intersting AK variant they have. It appears to be a Valmet in 5.56 Nato or 5.45 x 39 based on the curvature of the magazine.
Its called INSAS. Its standard Indian Army issue.
Its called INSAS. Its standard Indian Army issue.
Looks like a Galil and FN FAL mated. Is the recoil spring in
the buttstock?
One of the INSAS variants can pierce bullet proof jackets.
Its more likely a fusion of AK-47 and FN FAL.
Its more likely a fusion of AK-47 and FN FAL.
what are they doing with guns? One of these guys subdued a train car filled with psychos only using his knife.
I understand it’s a three-way mating of the FAL, AK and M16.
I had an original imported Galil. This Indian rifle appears to have the adjustable gas system of the FAL. The buttstock just looks like the FAL. The rear sight mounted on the dust cover comes from the Galil/Valmet rifles. The magazine appears to be the same clear “waffle” style used on the Bulgarian 5.56 AK variants imported by Arsenal, Inc.
Some seriously tough dudes, those guys. Would not wish to be on the other side.
really? I believe it, but do you have a link to the story?
look above
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