Maj-Gen Swami attends 11th Reunion of Mahar Regiment

Sagar, MP, Dec 9 (UNI) Major-General R K Swami, who is Honorary Colonel of the Mahar Regiment, today stressed that the Indian Army should continue to be in a state of extreme alertness against any enemy that might attempt to reap advantage of a chink in the armour.

''The Mahar Regiment has a history replete with prestige and courage,'' the general officer said while addressing the 11th Reunion at the Mahar Regimental Centre here.

He issued a clarion call to just-recruited soldiers to take the regiment's pride to fresh heights. Maj-Gen Swami took the salute at an impressive parade along with Centre Commandant Brigadier G Das.

As many as 184 soldiers swore to defend the Constitution, India and remain faithful to the regiment. Former Chief of Army Staff K V Krishna Rao also addressed the regiment's serving and retired officers and men. A cultural programme and sports events were conducted.

The regiment, raised in 1941, fought in Burma (now Myanmar), Persia and Iraq in the Second World War.

In 1946, the regiment converted to the specialist role of fielding medium machine guns (MMG), and for a decade-and-a-half rendered most effective support in combat. The MMG detachments were welcomed in every infantry battalion, for their skills and competent fire support in combat.

The men carried the heavy weapons in every terrain and never failed to hold their ground in defence. During the disturbed conditions in the aftermath of Partition, the regiment helped in the safe transfer of lakhs of refugees, in the face of violent armed mobs.

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