The
Bison Saga 54 INFANTRY DIVISION 1966 - 2016
Contents
Corps Commander’s Message A word from General Officer Commanding Glimpses of The Bygone Era Genesis Abode of the Bisons Baptism by Fire In Nation’s Service Honing for Combat Bisons at Play We Care Down the Memory Lane The Golden Jubilee The Road Ahead Index of References Editorial Team
5 7 9 39 53 77 95 103 117 131 141 151 155 157 160
An Interior view of the Chowmahalla Palace Hyderabad, undated.
GLIMPSES OF THE BYGONE ERA _ AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
Above: The Nizam of Hyderabad pays homage to the king and queen at the Delhi Durbar, 1911
The British Residency at Hyderabad - 1813, during the Resident Sir Henry Russell
The British in the South
The Colonial period in the history of south India began in the middle of the 18th century. The French, Portugese and the British allied with various local rulers to expand their influence. The power struggle eventually ended with British domination of the region. The Nizam of Hyderabad, though initially allied with the French, switched his allegiances later to align with the British as he wanted to hold his independence through diplomacy rather than open war. During the British colonial rule, south India was divided into the Madras Presidency, Hyderabad, Mysore, Thiruvithamcoore (Travancore), Cochin, Vizianagaram and a number of other minor princely states.
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Razakars, a private militia organized by Qasim Razvi to support the rule of Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, C.1948.
Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri talking with Major General Syed Ahmed El Edroos, Commander-in-Chief of the Hyderabad State Forces, C.1948.
Major General Syed Ahmed El Edroos C.1948.
Syed Kasim Razvi (Qasim Razvi) - Razakars Chief of Hyderabad State, a local militia C.1948.
Last Prime Minister of Hyderabad State Mir Laik Ali, C.1948.
The Palace gates being guarded, C.1948.
Image: Soldiers of the Nizam’s Force
The Liberation of Hyderabad
The period preceding the liberation of Hyderabad State on September 17, 1948, a full 13 months after Indian independence, was turbulent to say the least. Hyderabad, the largest princely state at the time of Indian independence was caught in a dilemma. In the months preceding independence, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur had refused to accede to either India or Pakistan. He attempted, instead, to manoeuvre his state towards independence, from where he could negotiate an alliance with India, rather than amalgamation into India . To avoid accession, the Nizam’s government had signed a Standstill Agreement with the Government of India.
The accord provided that relations between the state and the Indian Union would remain for one year as they had been prior to independence. India would handle Hyderabad’s foreign affairs, but Indian Army troops stationed in Secunderabad would be removed. Soon after the agreement, tension started to build as each side accused the other of violating terms. The Nizam alleged that the Indian government was imposing an informal embargo by using its control over railways leading into the state to deny the territory vital goods, especially arms and medical supplies.
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Maj Gen SS Maitra, GOC 54 Inf Div taking the Salute, October 1966
The Parade in progress October 1966
Pipe Band in action during the Parade
Orbat During Raising
47 Infantry Brigade
91 Infantry Brigade
74 Infantry Brigade
54 Artillery Brigade
13 JAK RIF
4 Madras
4 SIKH LI
7 FD REGT
5/3 G R
3 MLI
5 MADRAS
141 FD REGT
2/5 G R
22 MARATHA LI
6 MED REGT 278 MED REGT 1889 LT REGT
Maj Gen S S Maitra, GOC 54 Infantry Division reviewing the Parade, 1 October 1966
Raising of the Division 1966 The Division was raised on 01 October 1966 by Late Major General SS Maitra, AVSM, at Secunderabad with 47 and 74 Infantr y Briga des at G olconda and 91 Infantry Brigade at Bolarum. Brigadier BD Mansingh and Brigadier KP Lahiri, VRC were the first commanders of 47 and 91 Brigade, respectively. 76 Infantry Brigade was raised under Brigadier SC Puri on 31st December, 1979 and it replaced 74 Infantry Brigade which moved to Kota. 54 Artillery Brigade, was raised at Bowenpally under Brigadier NR Subramanium. Presently, all Briga des and Division Troop Units are located at Secunderabad
and Hyderabad, except 91 Infantry Brigade which is located in Trivandrum with one battalion at Bangalore. One Field Regiment of 54 Artiller y Brigade is located at Madhukarai. The Division’s focus on training is legendary and its performance in combat has been documented in eloquent testimonies through India’s military history with three Param Vir Chakras. The performance of the Division, has been evenly sterling in episodes of combat, IS duties and aid to civil authorities.
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Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church is located in the Bolarum township of Secunderabad. It was built in 1847 in Victorian Gothic style on area donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad with funds from Queen Victoria.
Naag Temple
The ancient Naag temple near the Cavalry Barrack station, on the way to the 1 EME Training Centre.
Built in 1858 on the pattern of ‘Windsor Castle’, in gleaming white stone. The Jail is similar to the Cellular Jail in Kalapani, Andaman, where Indian soldiers were sent. Soldiers of British origin were sent to Military Reformatory,
Military Reformatory at Trimulgherry
Trimulgherry.
Secunderabad Club
The building was established in 1878 as the Secunderabad Public Rooms. It was later called Secunderabad Garrison Club and Secunderabad Gymkhana Club. In December 1888, it became the United Service Club until 1903 when it was finally named as The Secunderabad Club. Lt Col JH Pulera RA was the first president of the club.
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Operation Cactus Lily
Shaken to the core by the overwhelming victory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League in late 1970, the Pakistan Army let loose a reign of terror in East Pakistan. An unprecedented exodus otf Bengali refugees commenced, as a result millions crossed the border and f looded the Indian states of Tripura, Assam and Bengal. This inf lux affected our economy and the demographic balance. Repeated attempts at reconciliation, negotiations and international pre ssure s of d iploma cy were tr ied in vain. The Ind ia n A r my HQ’s pla ns on the We st er n f ront clearly demonstrated that India’s aim was not the destruction of Pakistan. Operational instructions were restrictive and the larger aim was to ensure that the Indian Army took as much territory from the Pakistanis and conceded as little as possible. India felt that whoever held the most territory would be the
winner because the final word on the war would only be spelt out during post-war negotiations. Intense tactical-level battles developed in Chhamb, Fazilka and in the closing stages of the war, on the approaches to Zafarwal, West of Shakargarh. 1 Corps had gone into a slow deliberate advance, w ith a view to keep Pakistan’s reserve formations on the edge of indecision. 1 Corps was tasked to operate in Shakargarh bulge which juts into the region between North Punjab and South Jammu Kashmir. As a result of escalating tension, the Bison Division moved f rom the t w in cities to Pathankot in the f irst Week of Oct 1971 to take part in ‘Operation Cactus Lily’. It was on 4th December 1971 that the Bison Division under Maior General Wag Pinto was
From Left: Brig Ujagar Singh, Cdr 74 Inf Bde, Maj Gen Wag Pinto, GOC 54 Inf Div, Brigadier AS Vaidya, MVC, Cdr 16(I) Armd Bde
From Left: Brig Ujagar Singh, Cdr 74 Inf Bde, Maj Gen Wag Pinto, GOC 54 Inf Div, Brigadier AS Vaidya, MVC, Cdr 16(I) Armd Bde
Pak bombing was indiscriminate. A charred one ton shell of an Indian ambulance testifies to their flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention.
unleashed in Shakargarh Bulge as part of the Strike Corps. The Bison Division “Bashed on Regadless” w ith 47 In fa nt r y Br iga de , u nder Br iga d ier A P Bharadwaj and able Armoured Brigade Commander: Brigadier A S Vaidya (later, G eneral Vaidya , who became Chief of A r mv St af f ) spearhea ding the advance. The 74 Infantry Brigade played a major role in the Western Theatre during 1971 Indo-Pak War, under the distinguished leadership of Brig Ujagar Singh. It was assigned the task of capturing area Dehlra - Chakra in the Shakargarh Sector. The attack was spearheaded by 8 GRENADIERS, 9 M AR ATHA L I & 6 K U M AON. Here, the f irst major defeat was inf licted upon the enemy. It unhinged enemy defenses & tur ned his f lk, set ting the stage for
further exploration by 39 Infantry Divison and 54 Infantry Division towards Basantar River. The First phase of the attack went exactly as planned on 15 December 1971. Reaction from the enemy was ver y severe w ith heav y A r tiller y and MMG Fire. By f irst light on 16 December the situation had stabilized after having repulsed local counter attacks. The Division fought a number of actions, culminating in the ‘Battle of Basantar’, a battle without which the saga of 1971 war on our Western border is incomplete.
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Our
PVCs
Major Hoshiyar Singh 3 Grenadiers
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal 17 Poona Horse
Maj Hoshiyar Singh was commanding left forward company of 3 Grenadiers on 15 dec 197 1, when, the battalion was tasked to capture enemy locality at Jarpal in Shakargarh sector. Major Hoshiyar Singh led the charge and captured the objective after a fierce hand to hand fight. The enemy reacted with a counter attack and one enemy shell landed near the medium machine gun post injuring the crew. He immediately rushed to the medium machine gun post, manned the gun and inflicted heavy causalities on the enemy, thus, resulting in successful repulsion of the enemy counter attack. Major Hoshiyar Singh displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable offensive spirit and leadership in the highest traditions of Indian Army.
Pakistan Armoured Regiment attacked and outnumbered our troops at Jarpal in Shakargarh sector. 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of 17 Horse moved with his troops to counter the enemy attack. a fierce battle ensued and 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal personally destroyed four enemy tanks in the fight. his own tank received a shot and burst into flames, w o u n d i n g h i m s e v e r e l y. R e a l i s i n g that the enemy was still pressing the attack, he did not abandon his tank and continued engaging the enemy despite the grievous wounds. At this stage, his tank received another shot which was fatal. 2nd lt arun khetarpal displayed conspicuous gallantr y and valour beyond words. The brave officer made the supreme sacrifice while denying the enemy the intended breakthrough.
ROLL OF HONOUR ~
OPERATION CACTUS LILY
PARAM VIR CHAKRA Major Hoshiar Singh
3 Granadiers
2/Lt Arun Khetarpal
17 Poona Horse
MAHA VIR CHAKRA Lt Col Hanut Singh
17 Poona Horse
Lt Col VP Airy
3 Granadiers
Lt Col VP Ghai
16 Madras
Lt Col RM Vohra
4 Hudson Horse
Major BS Bal
17 Poona Horse
Major DV Singh
8 Granadiers
Hav Philipose
16 Madras
The war memorial located in the Basantar Brigade at Mehdipatnam stands as a solemn reminder of the soldiers who laid down their lives and displayed indomitable fighting spirit. The exemplary tales of bravery form part of our military folklore. Following quotes from the citations of two of the heroes, sum up the fighting spirit implicit in the Division’s motto - “Bash on Regardless”.
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Operation Pawan
“Black July” 1983 in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Srilankan President JR Jayawardene Signing the peace accord between India and Srilanka.
Events leading to the induction of IPKF The ethnic clash between Sinhalas and Tamils is age old. The volcano of ethnic violence erupted in July 1983, when nation w ide rioting and looting left 400 dead, 1,00,000 homeless and led 60,000 people to seek refuge in India. On 29 July 1987, an accord was signed between the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Srilankan President Jayawardene. On invitation of the President of Sri Lanka , IPK F landed in Sri Lanka on 30 July 1987. The operation directive was “Implement the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord”. The basic presumption was that the Tamil separatists had ag reed to the accord and the resistance, if any, to IPK F would be Srilankan Security Forces. Upon the dissolution of the Accord in October 1 987, t he for m a t ion u nder t o ok of fen s i ve operat ions aga i nst LT T E , wh ich i nclude d the capture of Jaf fna Tow n, a stronghold of the separatists, and regained control over the peninsula.
Map of area affected by the LTTE, 1983
Induction of IPKF in the Island Detailed preparation was carried out during Ju n e 1 9 8 7. A d d i t i o n a l l y, a Me c h a n i z e d Infantr y Battalion, a Squadron Armour and A ir Operation Flight were grouped w ith 54 Infantr y Division. Orders were issued on 29 July 1987 for induction into Srilanka to oversee the implementation of the accord. Induction commenced by air from Secunderabad on first light 30 July 1987.
Accord, Airlift and Discord By Jagan Pillarisetti As Indian troops landed in Sri Lanka, Palaly became the center of Operations for the Indian Army as well. The HQ of 54 Div was established there… While the IPKF were received as liberators by the Tamil population, the hostility among the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Armed Forces was too obvious to miss. "When we came in, we could see the hatred in the eyes of the Sri Lankan Army and Air Force personnel. They were very hostile and viewed our presence as a humiliation" recalled an IAF Officer stationed in Jaffna…
Capture of Jaffna Town In o r d e r t o c r i p p l e t h e Ta m i l g u e r r i l l a network, the Indian Army planned to capture the insurgent headquarters in Jaffna City. Codenamed Operation `Pawan’, the plan involved an initial heliborne assault into the center of the city followed by a multi-prong ground advance from all directions.
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Civil Affairs : The Division had the unique experience of conducting effective psychological operations and undertook extensive civil action activities, which included successful rehabilitation of civilians and restoration of peace and normalcy in the Northern Region. The formation successfully conducted the Provincial Council, Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the Jaffna Peninsula in 1988.
De-induction : The Division was de-inducted from Op Pawan by 20 March 1990, after having spent over two and a half years in Sri Lanka. For its sterling performance during Op Pawan, the Bison Division earned an impressive number of gallantry and distinguished awards.
PVC (Posthumous)
Maj Ramaswamy Parameshwaran 8 Mahar
On 25 November 1987, in the late hours of the night Maj R ama swamy Parameshwaran was returning from a search operation in Sri Lanka, when his column was ambushed by a group of militants. With cool courage and presence of mind, he encircled the militants from the rear and boldly charged taking them completely by surprise. In spite of being wounded by a bullet, Maj Parameshwaran, fought back and displayed conspicuous bravery and made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life.
MVC
Brig Manjit Singh HQ 47 Inf Bde
Lt Col IBS Bawa 4/5 GR
Maj PS Ganapathi 8 Mahar
Brigadier Manjit Singh himself a ssumed charge of the lea ding elements. With just two companies of Rajput Rifles, he broke through the desperate cordon of the milit ant s, and succe ssfully established a link-up with pare commandos operating from Jaffna Fort.
As part of IPKF Lt Col IBS Bawa landed with his battalion 4/5 GR in Sri Lanka and went into battle with the task of clearing the axis Vasavilan- Urumpurai - Jaffna Fort on 11 Oct 1987. The 4/5 GR was later detailed to extricate 13 Sikh Li and 10 Para Commando teams from the Kokavil North area. Lt Col Bawa lead his battalion through heavily fortified territory , linked up with the above force, snd successfully extricated them on 14 Oct 1987. In this effort a militant suicide squad sprayed him with a hail of bullets. He died fighting gallantly.
The Company under Maj PS Ganapathi was tasked to capture t h e v i l l a ge Ma r u t h a n a m a d a m . Hav i n g a c h i e ve d t h e o b j e c t i ve , the company wa s again sent to capture the village Annai Kodai on in October. Maj Ganapathi was successful in capturing the village by the morning of 16 Oct 1987; but was not able to establish any link with the Battalion HQ . Running shor t of ammunition he ha d to hold on against the militants who ha d surrounded the village and were pounding the defence. Taking control of the situation, he kept moving from trench to trench to encourage his men to hold on at all costs.
His leadership and demonstration of personal valour in the face of g rav e d a n ge r s o m o t i va t e d h i s command, that the whole Brigade was suddenly filled with elan and moved purposefully forward. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Lt Col LBS Bawa displayed c o n s p i c u o u s b r av e r y a n d v i t a l leadership in the face of frenzied milit ant s, and wa s awarded the MVC Posthumously.
Hi s p e r s o n a l e x a m p l e b o o s t e d the morale of the troops and the company held on against over whelming odds and wa s awarded Maha Vir Chakra.
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ROLL OF HONOUR ~ OPERATION PAWAN
PARAM VIR CHAKRA IC-3290F
MAJ R PARAMESHWARAN (P)
8 MAHAR
MAHA VIR CHAKRA 1C-12933 IC-16621
IC-28702
BRIG MANJ1T SINGH
HQ 47 INF BDE
COL IBS BAWA (P)
4/5 GR
MAJ PS GANAPATHI
8 MAHAR
UTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL IC-7899H
MAJ GEN SC SARDESHPANDE, AVSM,VSM
HQ 54 INF DIV
IC-10414A
MAJ GEN RN BHALLA, VSM
HQ 54 INF DIV
IC-11528X
BRIG KULWANT SINGH
HQ 54 INF DIV
BRIG SAMAY RAM
HQ 115 INF BDE
No-13612851
NK RANJEET SINGH (P)
5 PARA
IC-34499A
MAJ RK CHATUTURVEDI (P)
5 RAJ RIF
No-9211846Y
HAV NIRMAL SINGH (P)
4 MAHAR
JC-126468L
SUB SITA RAM PATIL (P)
18 GARH RIF
MAJ NJD SINGH (P)
4/5 GR
No-2477622
SEP BACHITTAR SINGH (P)
26 PUNJAB
No-28730904
NK MAHAVIR SINGH (P)
7 RAJ RIF
COL KPP SASIKUMAR (P)
7/8 GR
L/NK BB THAPA (P)
7/8 GR
MAJ SHEONAN SINGH
10 PARA CDO
HAV K PANDURANG (P)
8 MAHAR
MAJ VIRENDRA SINGH (P)
13 SIKH LI
No-2767350X
NK S KURANKAR (P)
18 GARH RIF
1C-17634M
LT COL M SINGH
4 MAHAR
IC-12848M
VIR CHAKRA
IC-34426
IC-26641
No-5748878H IC-3060I
No-4540692 IC-33448
IC-35747X
CAPT RAKESH DUBEY
10 GARH RIF
No-13609104A
HAV AJIT SINGH (P)
10 PARA CDO
No-3379653
SEP DAYAL SINGH
16 SIKH
IC-42748H
CAPT BNN RAO
3 ENGR REGT
VIR CHAKRA IC-31757
MAJ AD GARDNER
4/5 GR
JC-118104
SUB PB THAPA
4/5 GR
JC-133789
SUB MADAN LAL
5 RAJ RIF
IC-27273M
MAJ ANIL KAUL
65 ARMD REGT
JC-98872W
SUB D MARIA RUSEL
5 MADRAS
IC-26279
LT COL DALVIR SINGH
10 PARA CDO
IC-41515P
CAPT S CHANDRA (P)
8 MAHAR
SS-31336
CAPT JS BISHT
1 MARATHA LI
CAPT ASHISH SONAL 10 PARA CDO No-13614332
L/NK GANGAM (P)
10 PARA CDO
JC-126469
SUB HOSHIR SINGH (P)
19 RAJ RIF
SS-32475X
2/LT SKP MENON
15 MECH INF
JC-102096
SUB SUMPURAN SINGH
13 SIKH LI
PTR PAWAN KUMAR
10 PARA CDO
IC-13416W
BRIG JK RALLI
HQ 91 INF BDE
IC-23718W
LT COL RPS MALHAN
4 PARA
IC-33082N
MAJ L BALAKRISHNAN
57 MTN DIV
IC-12534
BRIG JS DHILLON
18 INF BDE
YUDH SEVA MEDAL
IC-26537W COL RS DAGER 19 GRENADIERS MR-04528P
MAJ RR KAUSUGAL
454 FD AMB
MR-03700Y
MAJ MK MUKHERJEE
354 FD AMB
IC-19221N
COL BS PUNDIR
1 SIKH LI
IC-15042
COL HOSHIAR SINGH
HQ 54 INF DIV
IC-21754H
COL UVS DAHIYA
8 ENGR REGT
IC-28434W
MAJ MS VERMA
12 GRENADIERS
IC-13960X
BRIG CS PANAG
HQ 47 INF BDE
IC-13548K
COL SK KARIAPPA
HQ 54 INF DIV
IC-19080X
LT COL S GUPTA
HQ 54 INF DIV
MR-04515X
MAJ KK UPADHYA
354 FD AMB
IC-16783N
COL TPS BRAR N
1 MARATHA LI
IC-16672N
COL NS VASAVAN
54 INF DIV SIG REGT
MR-03718P
MAJ S VERMA
454 FD AMB
These are only the landmarks in the sterling performance of the Division, which can be gazed from the total of 463 awards during Op Pawan.
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Operation Madad - Train Accident at Nalgonda 2005
Operation Madad - Tsunami 2005
Operation Madad - Flood Relief 2013
Aid to Civil Authorities
Operation Sahayata -
Operation Sahayata - Flood Relief 2009
Operation Manchirai - Flood Relief 2010
- Earthquake Relief 2013
Operation Lehar - Cyclone Relief 2013
The Bison Division, the only field formation in South of India, has been called upon time and again in aid to civil authorities. On every occasion upholding the tradition of ‘excellence in all spheres’, the formation has brought succour and relief to the people, whatever the crisis. It is a matter of pride that Bison Division has emerged as the most reliable institution available to the state machinery in combating man made disasters and natural calamities by providing timely relief and rehabilitation.
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Guns blazing...
Men do, as their leaders think
Towards Mission Drad Sankalp
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Training in Hyderabad
In order to consolidate on the lessons learnt during EWT and internalise them as part of our training regimen there was a need felt to harmonise existing t ra i n i n g i n f ra s t r u c t u r e a n d c r e at e a dd i t i o n a l infrastructure to devpelop niche capabilities in our troops, as per their assigned roles. With the formation concentrated in three different pockets within Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the availability
o f t ra i n i n g a r e a s a n d i n f ra s t r u c t u r e h a s b e e n coordinated in order to facilitate individual, sub unit and unit level training progressively. Musi and Shamirpet have been developed into multifaceted training areas for the training of the Division, where emphasis is being laid on jt training at sub unit and unit level and SUTCs of various arms and services are coordinated.
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The Precursor of Tri-service ‘Jointmanship’
The Bison Division has had a string of hands on experiences in tri service “jointmanship” which is slated to become an imperative for armed forces the world over - and India is no exception. The Division had operated jointly with the Indian Air Force in the peace keeping operations in Sri L anka namely, “Operation Poomalai”- and later “Operation Eagle” under which IAF transport planes, a ccompanied by a fighter escor t dropped food supplies over Jaffna. Subsequently, in July 1987,the IAF transport fleet consisting of AN32 and IL76 airlifted 10,000 strong contingent - in the words of Bharat Verma - “of the South India based No 54 Infantry Division”. Ju n e 2 0 0 0 , s a w a t h r o n g o f o f f i c e r s , j u n i o r commissioned officers and other ranks of 54 Infantry Division to various ships and shore establishments of the Eastern Naval Command. The visiting team
was shown live demonstration of escape from a damaged submarine, latest weapons and firing, mine breaching techniques, rescue of drowning sailors by helicopter, exchange of personnel from one ship to another on jackstay, towing of ships and scuba diving equipment. In February 2009 the Indian Army re-raised 91 Infantry Brigade in amphibious role comprising of 3 infantry Bns and a strength of 3,000 personnel. The soldiers have been drawn from the Sikh, Gorkhas and Madras regiments. The new amphibious brigade, is modelled on the lines of the Indian Navy’s marine commandos and specialising in land and marine warfare. Experts see it as a necessary adjunct to meet India’s security challenges. This initiative presages greater role for the Division in the future.
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The Blue Water Waves Expedition | 2009
Scuba diving during the ongoing Bison Blue Waters Expedition in Agatti, Lakshadweep.Source: PTI
A panoramic view of Para motoring in progress at Bison Blue Waters Expedition in Lakshadweep. Source: PTI
Yacht Trishna: Commemorative stamp from India Post.
The anchor displaying the National, IA and formation flags is the Bison Blue Waters Expedition (BBWE) emblem. This unique and multi-dimensional adventure activity was undertaken by the Division from 22 March to 11 May 2009 in the Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep Islands. The key objective of the BBWE was to meet the challenge of adventure, enhance maritime awareness in the Army, campaign for saving the coral reefs, create awareness on environmental concerns and provide security assurance to the islanders. The highlights of the expedition were the first ever inter-island Para Motor flight in India over the open sea for a distance of 20 Kms, Powered Rafting on high seas over 58 Km in inflatable boats of Division’s Engineer Regiment; Bonding with the islanders of Kavaratti, Agatti and Bangaram; and Sailing in yacht ‘TRISHNA’ from Mumbai to Kochi over a distance of 2100 Km. Such an activity was undertaken by the Indian Army for the first time in Lakshadweep.
The Nilgiri Trek
The Nilgiri Trek in progress, 31 August 2016
The Adventure Challenge Trophy 2016
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Her Excellency Pratibha Patil, President of India, declaring the opening of the 4th Military World Games by unveiling the iconic postage stamp designed to commemorate the event.
Swimming event in progress
“Bravo� - The Bison, official Mascot of the event.
“Friendship through Sports”
The Military World Games 2007
Daredevil Motorcyclists display their skills
T he four th World Milit ar y Game s wa s he ld at Hyderabad from 14 to 21 October 2007, and with participation from over 120 members of the CISM, officially called in French as Conseil International du Sport Militaire.
responsible for providing accommodation to 5000 participants. More than 6000 athletes and officials from 102 countries were hosted at the 25,000 capacity GMC Balayogi Stadium which was filled up to two third.
This mega event, organised one year before the Olympics, was held in Asia for the first time. This was also India’s biggest sports event yet. The first event of the series was held in the Italian capital of Rome in 1995, marking the 50 th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the ratification of the Charter of United Nations.
It was an epiphanic moment, the Games mascot ‘Bravo’ - the great Indian bison, descending down the stadium from 8000 ft.
The Division with the bison as its sign was aptly tasked to conduct the games. The Division played a stellar role in the operation and administration of the Military World Games. The formation was
An awe-struck Conseil International du Spor t Militaire (CISM) chief Brigadier General Gianni Gola reflected the mood of the evening by calling it a ‘magical and unique moment’ in the history of the event.
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Mrs Mathson in conversation with Bison AWWA ladies, during her visit to the Division, 2016
Mrs Jasmine Mann, Chairperson Bison AWWA, with Chief Guest PV Sindhu Under the charge of Mrs Jasmine Mann, President, Bison AWWA, AWWA activities have taken a giant step towards self reliance through Employment Development Program and vocational training, injecting confidence and self esteem in the wives of all ranks. Due to her relentless effort, Bison AWWA has grown into a cohesive hapy family. Regular interaction with the families, regular classes, lectures, demonstrations, tuitions for children, medical camps, financial assistance, all go a long way ensuring that the AWWA fulfill their function in letter and spirit.
Vocational Training classes for Jawans’ Wives
Bison Sainik Institute
Integrated Health Centre (IHC)
Four Sainik Institutes are functional at Secunderabad, Bowenpally, Mehdipatnam a n d Tr i v a n d r u m . T h e f a c i l i t i e s a n d infrastructure available in these institutes is state of the art.
To look after the health of the families, seven IHCs are run by the Division, with a lady doctor and a female a ssistant in attendance on every alternate day. A health card is maintained by each family.
Bison Lavanya KG School
Bison ASHA School
The Bison Division has four pre-primary schools run by the Brigades to cater the education of small children. These schools follow the ‘Play Way’ method. The aim is to prepare tiny tots for school and nurture creativity and independence, removing the fear of books and inculcating a love for learning.
To look after the differently abled children, the formation is running an ASHA School in Bowenpally. The School is well subscribed and has been instrumental in instilling confidence and self esteem in these special children.
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DOWN THE MEMORY LANE _ THE HELM
The Divison has been fortunate to have at the helm of affairs, leaders of virtue & ĂŠlan. T h e y h ave b e e n a b l e t o p r o v i d e g u i d a n c e a n d direction, resultantly shaping the division to accept multifarious challenges of the current and emerging security scenarios.
Maj Gen SS Maitra, AVSM 1966 - 1969
Maj Gen KAS Raja, PVSM 1969 - 1971
Maj Gen WAG Pinto, PVSM 1971 - 1974
The year 1966 witnessed the
The baton was carried forward
Popularly known as the “Victor of Basantar”,
successful raising of the
by Maj Gen KAS Raja, PVSM
Maj Gen WAG Pinto, PVSM’s tenure as
54 Inf Div, under the aegis
who continued to hone the
the GOC is prominently connected with
of the first GOC,
division’s men through
the Op Cactus Lily. His experience of the
late Maj Gen SS Maitra, AVSM.
rigorous training activities.
war can be gathered in his own words written in the book “Bash on Regardless”. Image: Bash on Regardless Book cover and Book release.
Maj Gen DSC Rai 1979 - 1981
Maj Gen GK Sen 1981 - 1983
Maj Gen Shamsher Singh, SM 1983 - 1985
Under his command, in the
For the first time in the history
Under the able command of
year 1980, the Army Day Parade
of the Division, an initiative of organising
Maj Gen Shamsher Singh, SM,
was conducted in the Division,
a presentation for the officers and ladies
the Division took part in conducting
and for the first time outside Delhi.
on the victorious Battle of Basantar
Operation Blue Star, an operation
was taken up under his command.
that involved sensitive handling.
Image: Maj Gen DSC Rai at the Annual Day Parade
The Division received two Ashok Chakras Image: Maj Gen GK Sen at a
during this Operation:
training exercise.
Maj Bhukant Mishra, AC (p) and NK Nirbhay Singh, AC (p).
Maj Gen ML Tuli 1976 -1977
Maj Gen KS Bajwa 1974 - 1976
Maj Gen AK Handoo 1977 - 1979
Maj Gen KS Bajwa continued
Recalling his tenure at the Division,
The Division, under Maj Gen AK Handoo’s
to conduct training and
Maj Gen ML Tuli sent memories in the form
command was part of helping victims in
exercises in order to strengthen
of photographs and fondly conveyed:
the Bengal flood of 1978 and was also entrusted
the Divisional troops.
“Please accept my heartiest congratulations
with the task of maintaining law and order,
on the dedicated and distinguished service to
During Madras riots of 1979.
the Army and Nation by the Bison Division” Image: Raising Day Speech at the Division
Maj Gen VK Singh 1985 - 1987
Maj Gen Harkirat Singh 1987-1988
Maj Gen SC Sardeshpande UYSM, AVSM 1988 - 1989
Maj Gen Harkirat Singh, as
He commanded the Division through Operation Pawan,
GOC IPKF, lead the Division into
including events such as Elections in Sri Lanka and
Operation Pawan. His experience
violation of Ceasefire, post elections by the LTTE.
of the operation has been aptly narrated in his book “Intervention
He has also immensely contributed in the development
in Sri Lanka: The IPKF Experience
of the Division’s Archives through research
Retold”, which is now considered
and recollection, that was opened in 2014.
as a credible reference of the operation.
Image: Sainik Sammelan after Op Pawan.
143
Maj Gen RN Bhalla, VSM 1989 - 1990
Maj Gen MM Lakhera AVSM, VSM 1990 -1992
Maj Gen BN Kapur 1992 - 1994
Maj Gen RN Bhalla, VSM beared the
Maj Gen MM Lakhera, AVSM, VSM
On taking command of the Division,
torch through Op Pawan, and commanded
commanded the Division as it took
Maj Gen BN Kapur lead the Division
the Division during the de-induction
part in maintaing law and order during
into providing relief to victims of the
from Sri Lanka. As he recollects:
the Riots in Hyderabad, 1990.
Earthquake in Osmanabad District of Maharashtra in 1993.
“As far as my reflections, on the
The Division also celebrated it’s Silver
performance of the Division is concerned,
Jubilee in the year 1991, during his
in spite of zero real time information/
tenure as GOC.
intelligence, and both our hands tied at the back, we did exceedingly well.”
Maj Gen S P Raman SM, VSM 2000 - 2001 Excerpt from his letter:
Maj Gen Zu Shah, VSM 2001 - 2003
Maj Gen KS Siva Kumar, VSM 2003 - 2004
The Division conducted two major
Southern parts of Sri Lanka were
operations that involved terrorists,
under divastation due to floods in the
“Recapitulate that true to its character
Operation Parakram and Operation
year 2003. The Division, under the
of having to spend a better part of one’s
Aman under the command of
command of Maj Gen KS Sivakumar, VSM’s
tenure in the dessert, I, in a short tenure
Maj Gen Zu Shah, VSM.
conducted operation Denim in order to
of 15 months spent more time in the operation area”
bring relief to flood victims.
Maj Gen SPS Kanwar AVSM, VSM 1994 - 1996
Maj Gen Mahesh Vij 1996 - 1998
Maj Gen Basant Singh, YSM 1998 - 2000
Maj Gen Mahesh Vij Commanded
During his tenure, Hyderabad was
the Division while it was involved in
under devastation due to floods.
maintinaing law and order during the
The Division performed several
Coimbatore Riots of 1997/1998.
activities to relieve the victims
From his letter:
during the Andhra Pradesh floods
“The essence of my 18 month tenurec
of 2000.
ould be summed up in one word - Training. One cannot recall the number of exercises we attended at bhopal, Jodhpur and at headquarters. It was all very educative but left hardly any time for anything else. Wish the tenure was longer.”
Maj Gen SPS Dhillon 2004 - 2005
Maj Gen SP Rai 2005 - 2006
Maj Gen Anil Chait AVSM, VSM 2007 - 2008
Catastrophe broke out as a tsunami struck
During his tenure as GOC, the Division
A feather in the cap of both, the Army
India’s southern coast and Andaman and
conducted flood relief operations in
and the Nation, the 4th CISM World Military
Nicobar Islands, claiming thousands of
Maharashtra and also helped save
Games were conducted successfully
lives and injuring many more. The Division
victims of a train accident at Nalgonda
under his dynamic command, through
under his command was deployed in these
in 2005. He recalls: “The Div was at
meticulous planning and execution.
areas under Operation Sea Waves and
the fore-front to provide relief for
Operation Madad.
passengers of a train which derailed about 90 Kms from Hyderabad.”
145
Maj Gen Rajesh Singh 2008 - 2009
Maj Gen RC Chadha 2009 - 2011
Maj Gen Amit Sharma 2011 - 2012
Under his aegis, the division undertook
Maj Gen RC Chadha commanded the
Under his command, the Division went
the Bison Blue Waters Expedition,
Division while Andhra Pradesh
through large scale training exercises
that included para motoring, deep sea
suffered two natural calamities.
including Joint Exercises with other Armies.
diving and sailing in yacht “Trishna�
Operation Sahayata 2010 and
Further strengthening the fighting power
for 2100 Kms between Mumbai and
Operation Manchurai were conducted
of the Division, under unconventional
Kochi. Such a multi-dimensional
by the Division to bring relief to victims
operation scenarios. The Division also
adventure activity, was undertaken for the
from cyclone damage and floods,
witnessed various sports and adventure
very first time by the Indian Army.
respectively.
activities during his tenure.
Image: GOC receiving Expedition Flag from CO 5 ENGR after the completion
Image: Maj Gen Amit Sharma, after
of the Expedition.
unveiling one of the trophies at the Bison Riding and Polo Institute, 2011.
Maj Gen Cherish Mathson SM, VSM 2012 - 2013
Maj Gen RK Jagga 2014 - 2015
Under his command, the Division
The Bison Archives and The Bison
conducted Operation Madad for flood
War Memorial, were raised and
relief in Kerala, Operation Rahat
inaugurated under his Command.
(Cyclone Phailin) and Operation Lehar
The Division also conducted Operation
(Cyclone Lehar), in Andhra Pradesh.
Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh in order to provide relief to victims of Cyclone Hudhud.
Letters from previous GOCs
“At the f irst instant please accept my heartiest c ongratul ations on this historic occasion. The Division has written a glorious history in these 50 years and I have no doubt that it will continue to add many more chapters with glory to it in the years to come.”
“Noticed a Light & Sound Show in the tentative programme. Suddenly remembered that our Armoured Regiment had done an excellent such show about our Division’s thrust towards Zaffarwal in 1971.”
- Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman (Retd.) “Please accept my heartiest congratulations on the dedicated and distinguished service to the Army and Nation by the Bison Division. The Formation really deserves it.”
“IPKF/Op Pawan was a seminal epoisode, a bold experiment that India indluged in, in the last 1500 years, of projecting its power outside the national b o u n d a r y , p ro a c t i v e l y t o p ro t e c t i t s n a t i o n a l interest and security. And the 54 Infantry Division spearheaded it! ”
- Lt Gen M L Tuli, PVSM (Retd.)
- Lt Gen S C Sardeshpande (Retd.)
“Thanks for sending in the planner made by Bison Division, very well designed and please convey my complements to your team.”
“It gladens my heart to know that Bison Division is intending to celebrate its glory and honour, achieved through outstanding professionalism.”
- Maj Gen R K Jagga, VSM
- Maj Gen S P Rai, AVSM (Retd.)
- Lt Gen Cherish Mathson, SM, VSM
BASH ON REGARDLESS