91 Field Regiment (India)

91 Field Regiment (Asal Uttar)
Active	1963 – present
Country	India
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Army
Type	Artillery
Size	Regiment
Motto(s)	SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL “Everywhere with Honour and Glory”.
Colors	"Red & Navy Blue"
Insignia
Abbreviation	91 Fd Regt

History

91 Field Regiment was raised as 91 Mountain Composite Regiment (Towed) on 15 April 1963 at Ambala Cantonment as part of a Mountain Artillery Brigade of a Mountain Division under the able command of Lieutenant Colonel Prakash Rao Jesus. The regiment was raised as a 'Single Class' regiment of Rajput gunners. Within two years of its raising, the regiment got the opportunity to prove its mettle during the Indo Pak War of 1965 in Khem Karan Sector of Punjab. In response to Operation Grand Slam launched by Pakistan Army, the regiment took part in Operation Riddle launched by Indian Army as part of Holding Corps. From 06 to 12 September 1965, the regiment orchestrated accurate and devastating artillery fire in support of various offensive and defensive operations of the formation. During the same period from 07 to 09 Sep 1965, the regiment gun areas at Asal Uttar village were strafed by Sabre jets and repeatedly raided by the enemy commandoes followed by infantry supported by Chaffee and Patton tanks. The local defence of the gun areas was absolute, guns camouflaged in sugarcane and cotton fields and anti-tank platforms prepared. The enemy tanks were engaged from close ranges by direct firing. The precise, consistent and ferocity of artillery firepower inflicted heavy infantry and tank casualty forcing the enemy to abandon the attack every time, even leaving some of its tanks behind. On the intervening night of 08th -09th September 1965, the regiment alone fired a total of 2000 rounds displaying its sheer audacity and technical prowess in the face of enemy.

It was for this decisive action, 91 Mountain Composite Regiment (Towed) was awarded Honour Title of 'ASAL UTTAR'. The regiment also earned 02 Sena Medals and 02 Mention-in-Dispatches during the war. Four bravehearts of the regiment made supreme sacrifice during the operation in lines with the highest tradition of Indian Army. The gunners proved their professionalism, tactical acumen and fought the battle in conventional as well as anti-tank role while holding on to local defence of their gun areas. 91 Field Regiment (ASAL UTTAR) also bears the singular honour of being the first artillery regiment in post-independence era to be presented with a war trophy, the 3.7 Inch Howitzer, which took part in the 1965 War.

The regiment's illustrious history spanning over 61 years, encompasses broad- spectrum of operational assignments in all terrains with exemplary experience of handling varied Field Artillery equipment. The regiment has so far, six tenures along the Line of Control in Counter Terrorist environment and four tenures along Line of Actual Control. 91 Field Regiment (ASAL UTTAR) is one of the finest artillery regiments of Indian Army having experience of participating in all operations since its raising. The battle cry of the regiment is "Durge Mata ki Jai".

Operations

• Indo-Pakistani War of 1965: Operation Ablaze
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1965: Operation Riddle
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: Operation Cactus Lily
• Operation Trident
• Operation Rakshak
• Operation Kasba
• Operation Parakram
• Operation Meghdoot
• Operation Zafran

Honours and awards

Honour Title - ASAL UTTAR

Sena Medal

• Lieutenant Colonel Prakash Rao Jesus
• Major Ajit Singh
• Major J C Nakra
• Lieutenant Colonel P K Mehta
• Havildar Ishwar Singh Banafar
• Lance Naik Nilesh (Posthumous)

Param Vishisht Seva Medal

• Lieutenant General Vinod Naynar

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

• Lieutenant General Vinod Naynar
• Lieutenant Colonel J C Nakra
• Lieutenant Colonel P K Mehta

Vishisht Seva Medal

• Lieutenant Colonel PK Mehta
• Colonel N S Chaudhary

Mention in Despatches

• Captain M N Pantaki
• Captain M L Sethi
• Naik Ramshankar Singh

Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card - 16

Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card - 05

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Card - 29

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation Card - 02

United Nation Force Commander Appreciation Card - 01

See also

List of artillery regiments of Indian Army