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{{Short description|Infantry regiment of the Indian Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
| unit_name = Ladakh Scouts
| image = Emblem of Ladakh Scouts.png
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Regimental insignia of the Ladakh Scouts
| dates = 1963–present
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{Army|IND}}
| type = [[Infantry]]
| role = [[Mountain warfare]]
| size = 5 battalions
| command_structure =
| garrison = Phyang,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ladakh-organises-inter-school-competitions-to-celebrate-spirit-of-indian-army/|title = Ladakh organises inter school competitions to celebrate spirit of Indian army|date = 28 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://joinindianarmyr.in/ladakh-scouts-result/|title=Ladakh Scouts Relation Result 2020 Declared 23 Feb Result}}</ref> [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/90-young-soldiers-join-ladakh-scouts-regiment-in-leh-101623557134464.html|title = 90 young soldiers join Ladakh Scouts Regiment in Leh|date = 13 June 2021}}</ref>
| garrison_label = Regimental Centre
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| nickname = ''Snow Warriors'', ''Snow Leopards''
| patron =
| motto =
| colors = Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo (Victory to God).
| colors_label = War Cry
| march =
| mascot =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations = 1 [[Unit citation]], 1 [[Ashok Chakra]], 2 [[Mahavir Chakra]], 2 [[Kirti Chakra]], 2 [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]s, 26 [[Vir Chakra]], 6 [[Shaurya Chakra]], 3 [[Yudh Seva Medal]]s, 64 [[Sena Medal]]s, 13 [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]s, 13 Mentions-in-Dispatches, 67 Chief of Army Staff commendation cards, 2 [[Jeevan Raksha Padak]]<ref name=gs-ladakhscouts>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-ladakh.htm|title=Ladakh Scouts|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref>
| battle_honours = 
| current_commander =
| current_commander_label =
| ceremonial_chief =
| ceremonial_chief_label =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label =
| notable_commanders = 
| identification_symbol = [[Siberian Ibex|Himalayan Ibex]]
| identification_symbol_label = Insignia
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
}}
[[File:Ladakh Scout on break. Near Leh. 2010.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Ladakh Scout soldier on a break near [[Leh]], 2010]]

The '''Ladakh Scouts''' is an [[infantry regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]], nicknamed the "Snow Warriors" or "[[Snow Leopards]]".<ref name=gs-ladakhscouts/> The regiment specialises in [[mountain warfare]], and its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the [[Union territory|Union Territory]] of [[Ladakh]].

The Ladakh Scouts were formed in 1963 by spinning off the Ladakhi battalions of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Militia]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} They were converted into an Army [[regiment]] in 2000.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} The Ladakh Scouts recruits mainly from India's [[Ladakhi people|Ladakhi]] and [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] ethnic communities, and is among the army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honoured with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including a [[Unit citation]], one [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashok Chakra]], ten [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s and two [[Kirti Chakra]]s.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==History==
In 1948, the "[[Nubra Guards]]" were raised from local Ladakhi warriors to patrol India's mountainous border in the Ladakh region.<ref name=ia-lshist>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=q2SS7SL4DIY6BgcIF2CvQw==&ParentID=pTysHD2D5n/sfjXrwhyAPA==|title=Ladakh Scouts|publisher=Indian Army}}</ref> In 1952, the Nubra Guards were merged as the 7th Battalion, Jammu & Kashmir Militia (which itself later became the [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]]). The 14th Battalion of the militia was also raised from Ladakh in 1959.
[[File:Ladakh Scouts mountaineering.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Mountaineering Expedition of Zedang Sumpa Battalion of Ladakh Scouts, which scaled five virgin peaks above 6000 metres located in the Central Rimo Glacier, October 2021.]]
On 1 June 1963, following the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], Col. S.P Salunke formed the Ladakh Scouts by spinning off the 7th and 14th Battalions of the J&K Militia, and the unit was given the role of [[reconnaissance]] and [[interdiction]] in the high-altitude border regions by the [[Government of India]].

After the [[Kargil War]], the Ladakh Scouts was reformed as a standard infantry regiment on 1 June 2000. Its parent regiment is the [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]], but it trains and fights as an independent unit for all intents and purposes.

On 2 June 2013, it celebrated its Golden Jubilee to mark the merger between the Nubra Guards and the 7th Battalion of the J&K light infantry.

==Units==
The regiment currently consists of 5 [[battalion]]s, with support personnel affiliated to other arms of the Indian army seconded in on rotation.

==Recent Engagements==
===Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971===
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
Units of the regiment have been deployed in combat in every major Indian operation since the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]]. The Scouts also received battle honours in the undeclared western theatre of the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]] which led to the independence of [[East Pakistan]].

===Operation Meghdoot===
{{Main|Operation Meghdoot}}
Units of the Ladakh Scouts were deployed with 3rd Kumaon regiment to capture the [[Siachen Glacier]] in April 1984, as a part of [[Operation Meghdoot]].<ref name=ia-meghdoot>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp3PLMMCRM6C.aspx?MnId=GWOq5gm/3bWnw01bjgMFeA==&ParentID=PUXKeyfrbKTnUWp2lVC0YA==|title=Operation Meghdoot|publisher=Indian Army}}</ref>

===Kargil War===
{{Main|Kargil War}}
The Ladakh Scouts were one of the first units to be deployed in combat action for [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]. Its units displayed exemplary gallantry and won numerous awards, including a [[Maha Vir Chakra]] for [[Sonam Wangchuk|Major Sonam Wangchuk]]. The Scouts were awarded a ''Unit Citation'' for their gallantry during the battles of Point 5000 on 5–6 July 1999, Dog Hill on the night 30 June – 1 July, and Padma Go on 9–10 July 1999, in the Batalik Sector. The citation recognised the unit's performance with distinction during [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]] and display of ''exemplary valour and grit in the face of the enemy''.<ref name=gs-ladakhscouts/>

==Distinctions==
[[File:The Ladakh Scouts Marching Contingent passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018, in New Delhi on January 26, 2018.jpg|thumb|305x305px|The Ladakh Scouts Marching Contingent passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018|alt=|right]]
[[File:The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the President s Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts Battalions at Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, Leh, in Jammu & Kashmir on August 21, 2017.jpg|thumb|305x305px|The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the President's Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts Battalions at Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, Leh, in Jammu & Kashmir on 21 August 2017]]

===Battle honours===
* [[Turtuk]], Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

===Gallantry awards===
[[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]] recipient:
*Naib Subedar [[Chhering Mutup]]

[[Maha Vir Chakra]] recipients:
* Colonel [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<ref name=ia-wangchuk>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1P2C.aspx?MnId=SXlOMx5srYV33UHMKNg5eg==&ParentID=W1Ii3tzDxmYCyCftX8YuJA==|title=Maj Sonam Wangchuk|publisher=Indian Army}}</ref><ref name=ia-majorwangchuk>{{cite news|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1P2C.aspx?MnId=muH0EN+gJw958u8zMyzizw==&ParentID=oAobEvhw7gM4lU50tCLuvg==|title=Major Sonam Wangchuk|publisher=Indian Army}}</ref>
* Colonel [[Chewang Rinchen]] (with Bar)

Among the awards conferred on the soldiers of the Ladakh Scouts are:
*1 [[Unit citation]]
*1 [[Ashok Chakra Award|Ashok Chakra]]
*2 [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s
*2 [[Kirti Chakra]]s
*26 [[Vir Chakra]]s
*6 [[Shaurya Chakra]]s
*3 [[Yudh Seva Medal]]s
*2 [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]s
*13 [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]s
*64 [[Sena Medal]]s
*13 Mentions-in-Dispatches
*67 Chief of Army Staff commendation cards
*2 [[Jeevan Raksha Padak]]s

=== Presidential Colours ===
The high honour of the presentation of presidential colours was given to the regiment on 21 August 2017 by the [[President of India]], who is the constitutional [[commander-in-chief]] of the Indian Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-scouts-regiment-gets-presidents-colours-from-ram-nath-kovind-4806550/|title=Ladakh Scouts regiment gets President's Colours from Ram Nath Kovind|date=2017-08-21|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-08-21|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of regiments of the Indian Army]]
* [[Arunachal Scouts]]
* [[Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts]]
* [[Northern Light Infantry Regiment]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladakh-Scouts/264627666916085 More Notes]

{{Indian Army Infantry Regiments}}

[[Category:Infantry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1963]]
[[Category:Ladakh]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]

Ladakh Scouts - Revision history

Bot at 19:25, 2 December 2022