2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment

Defence Flights India

February 24, 2023

2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment

A commemorative postage stamp on 225 Glorious Years of Second Battalion The Parachute Regiment (Special Force) :

Issued by India

Issued on Feb 24, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 2^nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Special Force) on the occasion of its 50^th Poongli Day, 225^th Raising Day and 75^th Jhangar Day.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301850 each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The Battalion was raised on 6 September 1797 for the Bombay Presidency as part of treaty with the Raja of Travancore as the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Regiment Native Infantry of the Travancore Regiment. The Battalion’s gallant role in the storming of Madgala in the Abyssinian Campaign (1867-68) earned it the honour of being designated as a Light Infantry Regiment.
In the First World War, the Battalion fought against the Turks in Mesopotamia and won laurels in action at Shaiba, Kul-El-Amara and Ctesiphon. In the Second World War, the Battalion won undying fame in the bloody assault on the formidable Italian fortress of Keren. Under 10 Indian Division in Italy, NK Yeshwant Ghadge was conferred with the Victoria Cross posthumously at Citta-de-Castello for his supreme act of valour.
The Battalion was selected for parachute duties under 2^nd Indian Airborne Division in 1946 as 3^rd Parachute Battalion, the Maharatta Light Infantry. In 1947, the battalion rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to stem the onslaught of Pakistani forces and fought legendary battles at Naushera and Jhangar.
On 15 April 1952, the Battalion became part of the Parachute Regiment Unit and was redesignated as Second Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. The Battalion took part in liberation of Goa in 1961. In 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Battalion saw action in Rann of Kutch and Lahore Theatres. In 1971, the Battalion won the distinction of carrying out the first airborne assault of the Indian Army by paradropping in the Eastern Sector and was the first Indian Army unit to enter Dacca.
From 1990-1991, the Battalion served in OP HIFAZAT (Counter Insurgency operations) in the North East. On 1^st April 1999, the Battalion was selected for conversion to Special Forces. Immediately post conversion one team was inducted to Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to rescue Indian Army Hostages held by the rebel groups. It was one of its kind mission conducted by any country under the UN Flag and was executed perfectly and all hostages were rescued without any casualties.
In 2006, the Battalion was inducted in J&K and during this period, Captain R Harshan made supreme sacrifice during a pivotal operation and was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
The Battalion witnessed history, as it oversaw the peaceful formation of the newest country in the world when Sudan was split into Sudan and South Sudan.
The Battalion has distinguished itself in Live Situation Training role in North East and Jammu & Kashmir and in counter terrorism role at Bengaluru after 26/11 attack. The unit has won Three Chief of Army Staff’s Unit Citation, Governor of J&K Unit Appreciation, Two Army Cdr’s Citation and a UN Force Commander Unit Citation. The 427 awards won by the Battalion include one Victoria Cross, four Mahavir Chakras, one Ashoka Chakra, two Kirti Chakra, 17 Vir Chakras, 07 Shaurya Chakras, 48 Sena Medals and one Yudh Seva Medal. Most impressively the Battalion has won 25 Battle Honours and 5 Theatre honours, making it one of the most decorated Battalion in the Indian Army today.
Text : Referenced from content provided by proponent.