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{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=69th Armoured Regiment
|image=
|caption=
|dates= 1968 – present
|country={{flag icon|India}} [[India]]
|allegiance=India
|branch= [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
|type= [[Armoured Corps]]
|role=
|size= Regiment
|command_structure=
|equipment=[[T-72]]

|Past Commanders=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment= Maj Gen Sudhir Bahl<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2018/191752.pdf|title=The Gazette of India, No 44, Part I—Sec. 4|date=2018-11-03|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref>
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=69 Armd Regt
|identification_symbol_label=Abbreviation

|nickname=
|patron=
|motto= एकता मान वीरता<br/>"Ekta-Maan-Virta" (Unity, Honour, Bravery)
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=Bogra<br/>East Pakistan
}}

'''69 Armoured Regiment''' is an armoured regiment of the [[Indian Army]].
== Formation ==
The regiment was raised on 1 October 1968 at [[Ahmednagar]]. It was then manned mainly by troops drawn from the [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]] and Infantry battalions.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031202/haryana.htm|title= Steps afoot to modernise forces, says Kalam in ‘The Tribune’|date=2003-12-02|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref> It has an all-India all-class composition, drawing troops from various castes and religions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gautam|first=PK|title= Indigenous Historical Knowledge: Kautilya and His Vocabulary, Volume III|date=2016|publisher= IDSA/Pentagon Press |isbn= 978-81-8274-909-2|page=153}}</ref>

==Equipment==
The regiment was initially equipped with [[PT-76]] tanks, which also took part during 1971 War. The regiment presently has the [[T-72]] tanks.
==Operations==
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]:
The regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pawittar Singh was part of the [[XXXIII Corps (India)| XXXIII Corps]] and saw action in the Northwestern sector in the liberation of [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Gill 2003">{{cite book|last=Gill|first=JH|title=An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh|date=2003|publisher=National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|page=73-74}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://profilebengal.com/mnnews/december03.html|title=India throws in three more divisions on seven fronts in East Pakistan in ‘Profile of Bengal’|date=1971-12-03|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref>

It captured Charkai on 4 December 1971.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=KVK|title=Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security|publisher=Lancer Publishers|date=1991|isbn=978-8172120016|page=179}}</ref> The regiment less one squadron along with a combat group of [[5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)|2/5 Gorkha Rifles]] advanced along the [[Chapai Nawabganj District|Nawabganj]]-Chandipur-Lal Dighi Bazaar-Pirganj axis. It captured Chandipur town and Pirganj on 7 December 1971.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Sukhwant|title=India's Wars Since Independence The Liberation Of Bangladesh, Volume 1|date=1980|publisher=Vikas|isbn=978-0706910575}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/deep-operations-theory-1971-bangladesh-liberation-war/|title=‘Deep Operations’ Theory: 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War in ‘Indian Defence Review’Issue Vol. 31.4 Oct-Dec 2016|date=2016-12-15|access-date=2020-12-25}}</ref> The regiment along with one squadron of [[63rd Cavalry (India)|63 Cavalry]] and [[Brigade of the Guards|6 Guards]] grouped under Lieutenant Colonel Pawittar Singh captured [[Palashbari Upazila|Palasbari]] on 9 December 1971.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Lachhman|title=Victory in Bangladesh|date=1991|publisher=Natraj Publishers|isbn= 978-8181580382}}</ref>

On 11 and 12 December 1971, the regiment along with [[11th Gorkha Rifles|5/11 Gorkha Rifles]] outflanked the Pakistani defences and established a roadblock across the [[Karatoya River]] for the capture of [[Gobindaganj Upazila|Gobindganj]]. On December 12, 1971, around 1500 hours, one of the leading tanks of 69 Armoured Regiment was hit and destroyed by an enemy recoilless anti-tank gun from across the banks of the lchhamati Nala. On December 13/14, night, 69 Armoured Regiment less a squadron, with 6 Guards less a company under its command, carried out an outflanking move from the east and established roadblocks on roads [[Bogra]]-[[Sirajganj]] (southeast of Bogra) and Bogra-[[ Singra Upazila|Singra]] (southwest of Bogra). On December 14, Bogra was attacked from two directions – 69 Armoured Regiment from the south of Bogra and 2/5 Gorkha Rifles with A Squadron of 63 Cavalry from the north. Both attacks met with stiff Pakistani resistance in the built-up area. However, after fierce fighting, by 1300 hours, all areas north of the railway line had been cleared. On December 15, troops of Pakistani 205 Infantry Brigade surrendered to 2/5 Gorkha
Rifles.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://archive.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1636322930_VGanapathy.pdf|title=Battle of Bogra|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref> The regiment took the surrender of the Pakistani [[Pakistan Armoured Corps|29th Cavalry]] on 16 December 1971 at Bogra.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/the-army-s-lions-the-infantry/story-WoQksX73FKWRFdWqeOpzwI.html|title=The Sandhu family in ‘The Hindustan Times’|date=2013-10-27|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref>

The regiment lost one [[Junior commissioned officer|JCO]] and nine [[Other ranks (UK)|other ranks]] during these operations. It won one [[Vir Chakra]], four [[Sena Medal]]s and two [[Mentioned in dispatches|Mention-in-Despatches]]. The regiment was also conferred with the Battle Honour ‘Bogra’ and the Theatre Honour ‘East Pakistan 1971’.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abdulkalam.nic.in/sp011203-2.html|title=Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation|date=2003-12-01|access-date=2020-12-25}}</ref>
;Other operations:
The Regiment has participated and displayed the gallantry in [[Indian Army operations in Jammu and Kashmir|Operation Rakshak]] between 1991 and 1996. It took part in Operation "Jal Tarang" during the [[1993 India floods|July 1993 floods]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. The regiment was especially involved in the [[Pattran|Patran]] area, which was badly affected by the floods. Two columns of 69 Armoured Regiment were deployed for anti-flood operation from 12 to 20th July 1993 and saved over 2000 lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abdulkalam.nic.in/sp011203-2.html|title=Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation|date=2003-12-01|access-date=2020-12-25}}</ref>
[[File:H20220126107451.jpg|thumb|PT-76 tank (on tank transporter) during the Republic Day Parade, 2022. This parade showcased equipment used during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, on its 50th anniversary, which lead to the formation of Bangladesh.]]
==Awards and honours==
*[[Shaurya Chakra]] : Major Tanuj Grover<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/haryanatribune/a-tank-man-who-excelled-in-infantry-combat-too-871423|title=A tank man who excelled in infantry combat too in ‘The Tribune’|date=2019-12-07|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/tanuj-grover|title=Tanuj Grover, SC|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref>

*[[Vir Chakra]] : Nb Ris Basta Singh<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/basta-singh|title=Basta Singh VrC|access-date=2020-12-26}}</ref>

*[[ President's Colour Award|President's Standard]] : The Regiment was presented the President's Standard on 01 December 2003 by the then President of India Dr [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] at [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Kalam-presents-Colours-to-69-Armoured/articleshow/334167.cms |title=Kalam presents Colours to 69 Armoured |date=2003-12-20|access-date=2020-12-25}}</ref>
*The Regiment had the honour of participating in the [[Delhi Republic Day parade|Republic Day]] parade in 1994 with its T-72 tanks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abdulkalam.nic.in/sp011203-2.html|title=Address To The 69 Armoured Regiment During The 'Standard' Presentation|date=2003-12-01|access-date=2020-12-25}}</ref>
*It showcased the PT-76 tanks during the Republic Day Parade in 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/republic-day-parade-indian-army-showcases-centurion-tank-pt-76-from-1971-war-101643175592238.html|title=Republic Day parade: Indian Army showcases Centurion tank, PT-76 from 1971 war|date=2022-01-26|access-date=2022-01-27}}</ref>

==Regimental Insignia==
The Regimental insignia consists of a front facing PT-76 tank with crossed lances with pennons in red and white. The motto of the Regiment is एकता मान वीरता (Ekta-Maan-Virta), which translates to ‘Unity, Honour and Bravery’.

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Indian Army Armoured Corps |state=expanded}}
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947]]

69th Armoured Regiment India - Revision history

Bot at 20:31, 28 November 2022