The regiment was raised as 44 Anti-Tank Regiment in 1948 with a class composition of
South Indian Classes. At raising, the unit was equipped with
6-pounder anti-tank guns.[1] The regiment has since been converted to a heavy mortar regiment, a light regiment, a medium regiment and is presently a field regiment. The unit consists of 69, 70 and 71 field batteries.[2]
Operations
The regiment has taken part in the following operations[2]–
Sino-Indian War of 1962 – The regiment was deployed in
North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), (presently
Arunachal Pradesh) during the war. The
Lohit,
Siang and
Subansiri Frontier Divisions of NEFA were the responsibility of 5 Infantry Brigade (which was under
4 Infantry Division of
IV Corps, located at
Tezpur). 44 Heavy Mortar Regiment was deployed in this large area, with their regiment headquarters at Tezpur in support of 5 Infantry Brigade. 69 Heavy Mortar Battery was deployed in Subansiri frontier division at
Daporijo and then in Taliha in support of
2 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. 70 Heavy Mortar Battery was in Siang frontier division at
Tuting and
Menchuka in support of
2 Madras. 71 Heavy Mortar Battery was in Lohit Frontier Division at
Walong in support of
6 Kumaon and later with
4 Sikh. In spite of firing all their mortars, they were overrun by the vastly superior Chinese numbers, ammunition and equipment.[3][4][5] The regiment lost one officer and four men during the operations.[6][7]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 – During Operation Cactus Lily, 44 Light Regiment was part of 54 Artillery Brigade under
54 Infantry Division in the western sector.[9] The regiment lost officer and one Junior commissioned officer during the war.[10]
Operation Falcon and Operation Rhino – 2006-2009 – The regiment was actively involved in counter-terrorism operations in
Assam.[11][12][13][14]
Flood relief operations (
2018 Kerala floods) – Columns from the regiment weren't actively involved in rescue efforts during the devastating floods affecting the state of Kerala in 2018.[15][16]
Equipment
The regiment has used the following weapon systems over the years[2]–