Naga Regiment

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Naga Regiment

The Naga Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It is one of the youngest regiments, formed in 1970, and currently has three battalions. The Regimental Centre is at Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. The regiment mainly recruits from Nagaland in northeast India.

Formation and identity
- 1 Naga was raised on 1 November 1970 at the Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet. It began with Nagas as well as Kumaonis, Garhwalis and Gorkhas.
- 2 Naga was raised on 11 February 1985 at Haldwani.
- 3 Naga was raised on 1 October 2009 at Haldwani.
- Crest features the traditional Naga weapons: a dao (knife) and spear, with a shield bearing a mithun (bull) head. The colours are gold (rising sun), green (infantry), and red (Naga authority). The motto is Parakramo vijayate (Valour triumphs) and the battle cry is Jai Durga Naga (Victory to Durga Naga).
- Regimental insignia shows crossed Naga spears and a dao with the mithun shield.

Notable actions and honors
- 1 Naga served in East Pakistan under the 4th Infantry Division, earning one Vir Chakra and three Sena Medals.
- 2 Naga operated along the Line of Control in Kupwara, including the landmark Operation Romeo to dominate the LoC.
- In the Kargil War, 2 Naga helped push back infiltrators and participated in attacks on Tiger Hill; both 1 Naga and 2 Naga earned Theatre Honour KARGIL and Battle Honours DRAS and MUSHKOH.
- 2 Naga carried out a high-profile action at Twin Bump for which Sepoy Imliakum Ao received the Maha Vir Chakra.
- 3 Naga represented India in ZAPAD 2021, a multilateral exercise in Russia.
- The regiment has received numerous decorations, including one Maha Vir Chakra, four Vir Chakras, one Yudh Seva Medal, one Vishisht Seva Medal, 48 Sena Medals, one Kirti Chakra and six Shaurya Chakras.

Recruitment and representation
- In the early years there were concerns about adequate Naga representation. A special recruitment drive was conducted, aiming to recruit thousands of Naga youths into the Army, Assam Rifles, and reserve battalions in the following years.

Colours
- 1 Naga was presented with its Colours on 6 May 1978 at Dehradun.
- 2 Naga received its Colours on 10 May 1990.
- 3 Naga received its Colours on 13 October 2023 at Ranikhet.

Centre and heritage
- Regimental Centre: Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.
- The regiment’s regimental crest incorporates the Dao, spear, and mithun imagery, reflecting Naga heritage and honour.