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{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=17 Parachute Field Regiment
|image=
|caption=
|dates= 1941 – present
|country=[[India]]
|allegiance={{flag|British India}} {{flag|India}}
|branch= {{army|British India|23px}} [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|23px]] [[Indian Army]]
|type= [[File:Regiment of Artillery Insignia (India).svg|20px]] [[Artillery]]
|role=
|size= Regiment
|command_structure=
|equipment=

|Past Commanders=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|notable_commanders= Lt Gen JK Khanna PVSM, MC Lt Gen Arjun Singh Khanna PVSM, AVSM, VrC Lt Gen KK Hazari, PVSM, AVSM Lt Gen [[Krishna Mohan Seth|KM Seth]], PVSM, AVSM Lt Gen VG Patankar, PVSM, UYSM, VSM Maj Gen VB Batra

|identification_symbol=17 Para Fd Regt
|identification_symbol_label=Abbreviation

|nickname=
|patron=
|motto= ''SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL'' “Everywhere with Honour and Glory”.
|colors= "Red & Navy Blue"
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations= [[Vir Chakra]] 1 [[Shaurya Chakra]] 3 [[Sena Medal]] 7 [[ Mention in Despatches]] 10 COAS Commendation Card 34 VCOAS Commendation Card 14 GOC-in-C Commendation Card 32 AOC (J&K) Commendation Card 1 UN Force Commander Citation 13 UN Brigade Commanded Citation / Appreciation 35<ref name="Gazette No 17" /><ref name="dupeRefA">{{cite web|url= http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2001/O-2378-2001-0021-110697.pdf|title= Gazette of India, 2001, No. 73|date=2001-05-26|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>
|battle_honours= Zojila, Poongli Bridge
}}

'''17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)''' is part of the [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]] of the [[Indian Army]].

== Formation ==
17 Parachute Field Regiment was raised as the 8th Battalion, the 7th [[Rajput Regiment]] on 1 February 1941 at [[Fatehgarh]] by Major DW Dawson.<ref name="dupeRefB">{{cite web|url=https://www.philamart.com/Listing/Details/3058547/17-Parachute-Field-Regiment-8-RajputIndian-Army-Postal-Cover-APO|title=APS Cover Feb 2016 –Platinum Jubilee 17 Para Field Regiment|access-date=2020-10-04}}</ref>
== History ==
The Regiment moved to [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] on 7 January 1942. On 1 February 1942, the battalion was converted and redesignated as 7 Rajput Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

On 19 December 1945, the Regiment was converted to a [[Field artillery|Field Artillery Regiment]] and was redesignated as 17 (Independent) Field Regiment [[Royal Indian Artillery|RIA]]. On 3 November 1946, it was converted to a Parachute Field Regiment and was designated as 17 Parachute Field Regiment [[Royal Indian Artillery|RIA]] with Lieutenant Colonel DHN Baker Carr as its Commanding Officer. The Regiment became part of the 2nd Indian Airborne Division (previously [[44th Airborne Division (India)|44th Indian Airborne Division]]) at [[Karachi]]. After partition, the Regiment moved to Khadakwasla, [[Pune|Poona]]. Lieutenant Colonel JK Khanna, MC became the first Indian Commanding Officer on 22 October 1947.<ref name="dupeRefB" />

The regiment consists of the 49, 51 and 52 Field Batteries
==Operations==
;[[ World War II]]: The Regiment saw its action as an outcome of the bombing by Japanese aircraft on its location. On 24 December 1942, 20 Battery shot down one enemy aircraft. On 25 June 1943, the Regiment moved to Assam and fought against the Japanese.<ref name="dupeRefB" />
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]: The Regiment moved to [[Srinagar]] on 6 October 1948 to be part of the operations in [[Zoji La|Zojila]]. The guns of the Regiment were instrumental in its capture, for which it was awarded the battle honour “Zojila”<ref name=" 17 Para Fd and Rajputs in Rajput Regt Regimental History">{{cite web |url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=Qi0rNib1uTxU/TenM+bqqQ==&ParentID=drErp8ZYnWFkTaafdv8e/Q==|title=17 Para Fd and Rajputs in Rajput Regt Regimental History in indianarmy.nic.in|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref name=" Gazette No 17">{{cite web |url= http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1952/E-2286-1952-0017-106013.pdf|title=Gazette No 17|date=1952-01-26 |access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>

;[[ Annexation of Goa]]: On 30 November 1961, the Regiment received orders to move to Goa. The Regiment as part of the [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)| 50th Parachute Brigade]] moved in on 2 December and by 17 December, 49, 51 and 52 Field Batteries were deployed. The guns directed fire on the Portuguese posts on 18 and 19 December. The Portuguese withdrew and surrendered on 19 December.<ref name="Ranbir Singh 2005">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Ranbir|title=Major Defence Operations Since 1947|date=2005|publisher=Ocean Books Pvt. Ltd |isbn= 978-8188322671}}</ref>

;[[Sino-Indian War]]: In 1961, as tensions between India and [[China]] rose, elements of the para brigade patrolled the Chinese frontier. When war erupted, the Regiment was the only airborne unit sent to battle. On 6 October 1962, men from the Regiment were flown by helicopter to the [[Northeast India|North East]] in [[Dhola Post|Tsangdhar]], where they bought two field guns into action (Operation Leghorn).<ref name="Sandhu 2015">{{cite book|last=Sandhu|first=PJS|title=1962: A View from the Other Side of the Hill|date=1992|publisher=VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd |isbn= 978-9384464769}}</ref> This section was eventually overrun and taken prisoner.<ref name="Conboy 1992">{{cite book|last=Conboy|first=Kenneth|title=Elite Forces of India and Pakistan|date=1992|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn= 978-1855322097}}</ref><ref name="Bajwa2008">{{cite book|last=Bajwa|first=KS|title=India's National Security: Military Challenges and Responses, Volume 1|date=2008|publisher=Har Anand Publications|isbn=978-8124113899}}</ref><ref name=" Brig Behl in USI Journal">{{cite web |url= https://usiofindia.org/publication/usi-journal/1962-war-battle-of-namka-chu-as-i-saw-it/|title= Journal of the United Service Institution of India, Vol. CXLIV, No. 597, July-September 2014.|access-date=2020-10-04}}</ref> The remainder of the Regiment was employed in the defence of the town of [[Walong]] along with 71 Heavy Mortar Battery.<ref name=" 17 Para Fd in SPs Land Forces">{{cite web |url= http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=461&h=Guns-and-Glory---A-Saga-of-Dedication-and-Valour|title=17 Para Fd in SPs Land Forces|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref name="Singh2006">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit|title=Artillery: The Battle-Winning Arm|date=2006|publisher=Lancer Publishers, New Delhi|isbn= 978-8176021807}}</ref><ref name=" 17 Para Fd in Bharat Rakshak">{{cite web|url= http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/1962war/263-walong.html|title=17 Para Fd in Battle of Walong|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pak War (1965)]]: The initial skirmish occurred in the [[Rann of Kutch]] during the months of January to June 1965 wherein Pakistan launched a well-planned attack on the Indian post at Biār Bet with overwhelming numbers, supported by armour and artillery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/203255/5/chapter%203.pdf|title=Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II, page 103|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref> On 11 April 1965, the Regiment received its mobilisation orders to the [[Rann of Kutch]]. It saw action on the 24 and 25 of April in Biār Bet in support of C Company of [[Parachute Regiment (India)|2 Parachute Battalion]].<ref name="17 Para Fd in SPs Land Forces" /> 2nd Lieutenant AS Khanna was awarded the [[Vir Chakra]] in recognition of his effort to direct fire at the Pakistani intrusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3076|title=AS Khanna VrC citation at gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> The Regiment moved to [[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]] on 9 September 1965. 51 and 52 Para Field Batteries provide artillery support to the attack by 6 [[Kumaon Regiment]] in Raniyan. On 14 September, the Regiment was ordered to moved to the Grand Trunk Road Axis and re-join the Parachute Brigade, which was tasked to capture the [[Madhopur Headworks|Upper Bari Doab Canal]] and [[Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal|Ichhogil bridgehead]] on [[Grand Trunk Road]]. On 20 September 1965, the Regiment provided artillery support to the 3 Para Battalion.
[[File:Banoob71.PNG|thumb|right|Deployment of troops in the eastern sector during the 1971 war]]
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]: On 16 November 1971, the 51 and 52 Parachute Field Batteries moved from [[Kolkatta|Calcutta]] to a border location east of [[Basirhat]] in support of 1/3 [[3rd Gorkha Rifles|Gorkha Rifles]]. 49 Parachute Field Battery was part of the 2 Parachute Battalion Group under Lt Col [[Kulwant Singh Pannu|KS Pannu]] which executed the [[Tangail Airdrop|Tangail para-drop]] around dusk on 11 December. The mission was to capture the Poongli bridge and cut off the 93 Brigade of [[Pakistan Army]], which was retreating from the north to defend [[Dakha|Dacca]] and its approaches. Unfortunately, the artillery the drop got spread over 20 km area, some guns and ammunition landing into ponds. Notwithstanding the problems, four guns were made operational quickly and the enemy was engaged. By midnight, 2 Parachute Battalion captured Poongli bridge on the [[Tangail]] – [[Dakha|Dacca]] road, but were counterattacked by the enemy thrice during the night. Fierce enemy attacks were defeated mostly due to continuous artillery salvos fired on the enemy by 49 Parachute Field Battery. 2 Parachute Battalion with 49 Parachute Field Battery entered Dacca at 1130 hours on 16 December followed by 851 Light Battery and 852 Light Battery. They witnessed the historic surrender by Lt Gen [[A. A. K. Niazi|AAK Niazi]] to Lt Gen [[Jagjit Singh Aurora|JS Aurora]]. Military history commentators often refer to Indian paratroopers dropping from aircraft near Tangail as one of the decisive factor of the operations in the [[East Pakistan]] and surrender by Lt Gen AAK Niazi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/203255/5/chapter%203.pdf|title=Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II, page 121|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1291_Indo-Pak_Bangladesh_liberation_war_1971.htm|title= The Indo-Pak Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971 in www.indiastrategic.in|access-date=2020-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.employeenewstoday.com/admin/production/uploads/others/Dec%202019.pdf|title=Batcheet December 2019|access-date=2020-10-07}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> For their decisive role in the battle, the Regiment was awarded the battle honour “Poongli Bridge”.<ref name="Conboy 1992" /><ref name=" Khullar 2017">{{cite book|last= Khullar|first= Darshan |title= Themes of Glory: Indian Artillery in War|date=2017|publisher= VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd|isbn=978-9385563973}}</ref>

;[[ Operation Pawan]]: The Regiment less 52 Field Battery were part of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in [[Sri Lanka]].
;[[ 1988 Maldives coup d'état|Operation Cactus 1988, Maldives]]: With the capture of [[Maldives]] on 3 November 1988 by the [[People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam]] (PLOTE) mercenaries, the army turned to the [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade]] to carry out an airborne/air transported operation to liberate the country and return power to the legal government. This operation had 6th Battalion of the [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] and the 17 (Para) Field Regiment spearheading the mission. They flew in on 4 November 1988 in a fleet of [[Ilyushin Il-76|IL-76]], [[Antonov An-32|An-32]] and [[Antonov An-12|An-12]] transport aircraft. One team rescued the president, another took over the airfield, and a third rescued Maldivian security personnel besieged in the National Security Service HQ. When mercenaries tried to escape by sea along with hostages, they were intercepted by the Indian navy. Thus, 6 Para, and the 17 (Para) Field Regiment conducted the first-ever international intervention by the Indian army without any loss of life.<ref name=" 17 Para Fd Op Cactus">{{cite web |url= http://www.indino.in/para-commandos-won-enemys-respect/|title=17 Para Fd in Op Cactus in indino.in/ |access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref name=" 17 Para Fd Op Cactus in aviation-defence-universe.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.indino.in/para-commandos-won-enemys-respect/|title=17 Para Fd in Op Cactus in aviation-defence-universe.com|date=2020-04-09|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>
;Counter Insurgency Operations: 17 (Para) Field Regiment was inducted into insurgency prone North [[Dima Hasao district|Cachar Hill]] region in [[Assam]] and [[Jiribam]] in [[Manipur]] in 2000. Its exceptional management of the environment and relentless operations against the terrorists resulted in enviable operational results. In a short time, the operational successes against [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland]] counted over twenty-five elimination of militants, more than forty apprehensions and recovery of over forty-five weapons that included modern automatic weapons. The unit was awarded the prestigious [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]] Unit Citation for successful counter insurgency tenure in the North East.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/operation-khoj-for-extortionists/cid/887946|title=Operation Khoj For Extortionists in The Telegraph online|date=2000-08-31|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/203255/7/chapter%205.pdf |title=Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter IV, page 174|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref> Major Sameerul Islam and Major Vijit Kumar Singh were posthumously awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] for their acts of bravery during the counter insurgency operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milligazette.com/Archives/01082001/16.htm|title= Major Sameerul Islam in The Milli Gazette|date=2001-08-01|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/444|title=Major Sameerul Islam SC Citation at gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref><ref name="Major Sameerul Islam Honour Point">{{cite web|url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/major-samir-ul-islam-sc/#:~:text=Major%20Samir%20ul%20Islam%20was,a%20son%20and%20a%20daughter.|title= Major Sameerul Islam Honour Point|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/474|title= Major VK Singh SC Citation at gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date= 2022-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/major-vijit-kumar-singh-sc/|title= Major Vijit Kumar Singh|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref> Colonel Deepak Dhanda, Major Pramod VO, Captain Saminder Mor, Havildar Fulbir Singh and Lance Naik Antony PA were awarded the [[Sena Medal]].<ref name="dupeRefA" /> In addition, the Regiment won 20 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 12 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.

;Siachen Glacier: The Regiment had two tenures in the Siachen Glacier as part of [[Operation Meghdoot]] and won the GOC-in-C ([[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]) Unit Appreciation on 15 August 2009.

;[[United Nations peacekeeping|United Nations]]: The Regiment took part in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or [[MONUSCO]] and [[ United Nations Disengagement Observer Force]] (UNDOF) in [[Golan Heights]] between 2011 and 2014. The Regiment received the Force Commander's Unit Citation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Three-new-Army-units-16-Jat-7-Dogra-and-17-Para-Field-are-headed-for-the-UN-missions-in-Congo-and-Golan-heights-/articleshow/16336199.cms|title=Times of India article on UN Mission|date=2012-09-10|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>
==See also==
[[List of regiments of the Indian Army#Artillery|List of artillery regiments of Indian Army]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8MRJwYORWM''Documentary on 17 Para Fd Regt on YouTube'']
* [https://www.indiaofthepast.org/sites/indiaofthepast.org/files/pdf/1962war/kia1962list.pdf''List of Killed in Action in the Indo China 1962 war'']

{{DEFAULTSORT:17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila and Poongli Bridge)}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Artillery regiments of the Indian Army after 1947, Military units and formations established in 1941, Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, Airborne regiments, Airborne artillery units and formations, Parachuting in India
|description=
}}

[[Category:Artillery regiments of the Indian Army after 1947]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Airborne regiments]]
[[Category:Airborne artillery units and formations]]
[[Category:Parachuting in India]]

17 Parachute Field Regiment India - Revision history

MetaBOT at 13:21, 8 July 2023