Govt nod to induct more Ladakhis in Indian Army

NEW DELHI, SEPT 11: The government today gave its nod to increase the intake of youth from Ladakh region in the Army while clearing a proposal to restructure the existing Ladakh Scouts and raising an additional battalion.

Impressed by the sheer courage displayed by the Ladakhi youth in last year’s Kargil conflict, the Government decided to restructure the existing Ladakh Scouts battalions on the lines of infantry regimental centres. An army spokesman said today that the decision came as the Defence Minister and the chief of Army staff had already promised them this status following Operation Vijay.

The Ladakh Scouts werer raised in 1963 by merging two J&K militia battalions and have participated in all the wars India has fought since then. The Scouts were pioneers in the capture of the Siachen glacier and were the first to be inducted in Operation Meghdoot. The Scouts is one of the most decorated outfits in the army with more than 300 gallantry awards including one Ashok Chakra, 10 Mahavir Chakras, two Kirti Chakras and 26 Vir Chakras, he added.