Rashtriya Rifles

Summary

The Rashtriya Rifles (RR; transl. National Rifles) is a counter-insurgency force in India, formed in 1990, to specifically serve in the Jammu and Kashmir region.[1] They also maintain public order by drawing powers from the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 (AFSPA).[2] The RR was raised by the Indian Army by reconstituting two corps (about 75,000 troops).[3] Its personnel are provided by the Indian Army on deputation.[1] The RR is commanded by an Additional Director General of Rashtriya Rifles (ADG RR).[4]

Rashtriya Rifles
Insignia of the Rashtriya Rifles
Active1990 – present
Country India
TypeCounter-insurgency
Size80,000
HeadquartersUdhampur, Jammu and Kashmir
Nickname(s)RR
Motto(s)Dridhta aur Virta
(Courage and Valour)
War CryBajrangbali ki Jai
(Glory to lord Hanuman)
Commanders
Additional Directorate GeneralMaj Gen Anupam Bhagi, YSM, SM
Insignia
InsigniaCrossed AK-47 with Ashoka Chakra
Flag

Crest edit

The RR crest consists of the Ashoka Chakra and two crossed rifles with fixed bayonets. Beneath, in a banner, is emblazoned the RR's motto: Dridhta aur Virta (Courage and Valour).

Organisation edit

RR units are organized under five "Counter Insurgency Force" (CIF) HQs. Each CIF is responsible for an area of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Division.

Victor Force and Kilo Force operate under the control of the XV Corps. Delta Force, Romeo Force operate under the control of XVI Corps.

Uniform Force, which earlier used to operate under the XVI Corps, was moved from the Poonch sector to the Ladakh sector in 2020 to counter Chinese aggression.

Operational sectors edit

The areas covered by the CIFs are further divided into sectors:

Battalions edit

RR comprises 65 battalions.[5] Known RR battalion affiliations include:

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Rashtriya Rifles". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  2. ^ Chakravarti, Sudeep (15 August 2019). "J&K bifurcation leaves a host of unresolved issues". Mint. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Paramilitary Forces and Internal Security". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (1 April 2019). "Army Rejig: Now ADG to head Rashtriya Rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  5. ^ P361 The Military Balance, 2010, The International Institute for Strategic Studies

External links edit

  • Rashtriya Rifles on GlobalSecurity.org