1822 Light Regiment (India)

1882 Light Regiment is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

Formation and history

The regiment shares a common history with 1821 Light Regiment. The unit was raised at Siliguri as 182 (Independent) Light Regiment (Pack) on 15 September 1965. The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel E D Alexander. During the Nathu La operations in 1967, 182 Light Regiment provided timely and effective fire support to silence the Chinese, thus getting the nickname ‘Silencers’.^[1]

In 1972, the mules were taken off and the regiment was motorised. The regiment was re-designated 182 Light Regiment (Towed) on 10 June 1972.^[1]

In 1973, all light regiments of the army were re-organised. 182 Light Regiment was split into two – 1821 (Independent) Light Battery, which had the headquarters and ‘P’ battery, and 1822 (Independent) Light Battery, which had the ‘Q’ and ‘R’ batteries. The process of bifurcation was completed on 15 May 1973. The unit was re-designated as 1822 Light Regiment on 17 August 1984.^[1]

Operations

The regiment has taken part in the following operations^[1] -

Operation Savage – 1966
Nathu La operations – 1967
Operation Cactus Lily – 1971^[2]
Operation Sunflower – 1973 to 1974
Operation Trident – 1987
Operation Meghdoot – 1989 to 1990
United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) – 1993 to 1994^[3]
Operation Vijay – 1999
Operation Rakshak – 1994 to 1996 and 2006 to 2009
Operation Hifazat II – 2000 to 2003
Operation Rhino and Operation Falcon – 2012

Gallantry awards

The regiment has won the following gallantry awards^[1]–

Sena Medal – 2
Mentioned in dispatches – 1
Chief of Army Staff Commendation cards - 7
Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation cards - 1
General Officer Commanding-in-chief Commendation cards – 18

Motto

The motto of the regiment is ‘In time and on target, always and everytime’.^[1]

References