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The Rashtriya Rifles (RR; transl. National Rifles) is a counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism force in India, formed in 1990, to specifically serve in the Jammu and Kashmir region.[1] They also maintain public order by drawing powers from the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 (AFSPA).[2] The RR was raised by the Indian Army by reconstituting two corps (about 75,000 troops).[3] Its personnel are provided by the Indian Army on deputation.[1] The RR is commanded by an Additional Director General of Rashtriya Rifles (ADG RR).[4]
Rashtriya Rifles | |
---|---|
Insignia of the Rashtriya Rifles | |
Active | 1990 – present |
Country | |
Branch | Indian Army |
Type | Counter-insurgency |
Size | 80,000 |
Headquarters | Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir |
Nickname(s) | RR |
Motto(s) | Dridhta aur Virta (Courage and Valour) |
War Cry | Bajrangbali ki Jai (Glory to lord Hanuman) |
Commanders | |
Additional Directorate General | Maj Gen Anupam Bhagi, YSM, SM |
Insignia | |
Insignia | Crossed AK-47 with Ashoka Chakra |
Flag |
Crest
editThe RR crest consists of the Ashoka Chakra and two crossed Kalashnikov rifles with fixed bayonets. Beneath, in a banner, is emblazoned the RR's motto: Dridhta aur Virta (Persistence and Valour).
Organisation
editRR units are organized under five "Counter Insurgency Force" (CIF) HQs. Each CIF is responsible for an area of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Division.
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) R / Romeo Force – Rajouri and Poonch.
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) D / Delta Force – Doda and Kishtwar .
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) V / Victor Force – Valley districts (Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Budgam).
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) K / Kilo Force – Kupwara, Baramulla and Srinagar.
- Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) U / Uniform Force – Udhampur and Banihal, now also covering Ladakh.
Victor Force and Kilo Force operate under the control of the XV Corps. Delta Force, Romeo Force operate under the control of XVI Corps.
Uniform Force, which earlier used to operate under the XVI Corps, was moved from the Poonch sector to the Ladakh sector (under I Corps) in 2020 to counter Chinese aggression.
Operational sectors
editThe areas covered by the CIFs are further divided into sectors:
- Sector 1 – Anantnag district
- Sector 2 – Kulgam district
- Sector 3 – Manasbal Lake
- Sector 4 – Doda district
- Sector 5 – Baramulla district
- Sector 6 – Poonch district
- Sector 7 – Kupwara district
- Sector 8 – Kupwara district
- Sector 9 – Kishtwar district
- Sector 10 – Baramulla district
- Sector 11 – Banihal
- Sector 12 – Budgam district
- Sector 13 - Rajouri district
Battalions
editRR comprises 65 battalions.[5] Each battalion has over 1,100 men organized into six companies. [6] Known RR battalion affiliations include:
- 1 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 2 RR – Sikh Light Infantry
- 3 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 4 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 5 RR – Jat Regiment
- 6 RR – Sikh Regiment
- 7 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 8 RR – Madras Regiment
- 9 RR – Rajputana Rifles
- 10 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 11 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 12 RR – The Grenadiers
- 13 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 14 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 15 RR – Gorkha Rifles
- 16 RR – Sikh Regiment
- 17 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 18 RR – Rajputana Rifles
- 19 RR – Sikh Light Infantry
- 20 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 21 RR – Brigade of the Guards
- 22 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 23 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 24 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 25 RR – Madras Regiment
- 26 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 27 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 28 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 29 RR – The Grenadiers
- 30 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 31 RR (Commando) – Parachute Regiment
- 32 RR – Gorkha Rifles
- 33 RR – Gorkha Rifles
- 34 RR – Jat Regiment
- 35 RR – Assam Regiment
- 36 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 37 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 38 RR – Madras Regiment
- 39 RR – The Grenadiers
- 40 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 41 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 42 RR – Assam Regiment
- 43 RR – Rajputana Rifles
- 44 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 45 RR – Jat Regiment
- 46 RR – Sikh Regiment
- 47 RR – Bihar Regiment
- 48 RR – Garhwal Rifles
- 49 RR – Sikh Light Infantry
- 50 RR – Kumaon Regiment
- 51 RR – Mahar Regiment
- 52 RR – Jammu & Kashmir Rifles
- 53 RR – Punjab Regiment
- 54 RR – Madras Regiment
- 55 RR – The Grenadiers
- 56 RR – Maratha Light Infantry
- 57 RR – Rajputana Rifles
- 58 RR – Rajput Regiment
- 59 RR – Assam Regiment
- 60 RR – Naga Regiment
- 61 RR – Jat Regiment
- 62 RR – Dogra Regiment
- 63 RR – Bihar Regiment
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Rashtriya Rifles". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ Chakravarti, Sudeep (15 August 2019). "J&K bifurcation leaves a host of unresolved issues". Mint. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Paramilitary Forces and Internal Security". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (1 April 2019). "Army Rejig: Now ADG to head Rashtriya Rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ P361 The Military Balance, 2010, The International Institute for Strategic Studies
- ^ https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rashtriya-rifles.htm