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Celebrating the years of selfless service

It was a proud moment for the 63 Cavalry or ‘Tresath’, when it celebrated its Diamond Jubilee somewhere in the western sector.  In a unique ceremony titled ‘Heritage Review’, the present generation of Cavalry men paid tribute to their elders and Heritage equipment which was reviewed by Lt Gen KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command.

The parade was set alive by the vintage tanks and armoured cars paraded in running condition which had been consigned to junkyards and forgotten by many. The armoured vehicles included the World War-II vintage American Cadillac tank ‘Stuart –VI’, the British Humber armoured car and Daimler armoured car popularly known as ‘Dingo’. But the showstopper of the event was the American M-113 Bradley which caught every eye as this equipment steered across the parade ground, being first of its kind to do so on Indian soil. Surprisingly, the Regiment was also the first to use this equipment before the Americans, inducted it in their inventory.  

The Regiment, which was raised in the princely state of Alwar, Rajasthan, has participated in UN Peace keeping operations in Congo from 1961 to 1962, has earned two VrC, seven Sena medals and 10 Mention-in-Dispatches.

The appearance of ‘Tresath tanks’ from four cardinal directions coupled with the shock and awe it unleashed, earned the unit an epithet of the “Ghost Regiment” from the enemy. Tresath tanks were the only armoured column that reached the capital, Dacca with its T-55 and PT-76 tanks. It was bestowed with the Battle Honour of Bogra and Theatre Honour of East Pakistan and earned eight gallantry awards.

‘Tresath’ has aided civil administration on a number of occasions, notably during 1992 floods in Punjab and Gujarat and Sikkim earthquake in 2001 and 2011.  The Regiment has also combated the menace of terrorism in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States. 

On the completion of 25 years of meritorious service in 1982, the Regiment was presented Guidon by the President of India- Late Neelam Sanjiva Reddy for its yeoman service to the nation.  ‘Tresath’ has had the distinction of earning 121 honours and awards which include PVSMs, Veer Chakras and Sena medals. 

Apart from other functions, a special Sainik Sammelan was also held.
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