The Maratha Light Infantry (Jangi Paltan) on Wednesday celebrated the completion of 250 glorious years since its raising in Pune way back in 1768.
The third oldest battalion of the Indian Army was raised on August 4, 1768 as 2nd Bombay Sepoys. In recognition of the sustained operational performance and victories in the battlefield, the battalion was conferred with the Nom de Guerre ‘Jangi Paltan’ in 1788.
The Battalion, in the 250 years of its glorious history, has been awarded 15 battle honours, six theatre honours and one Chief of Army Staff unit citation including one Victoria Cross earned by Sepoy Namdeo Jadhav during crossing of the Senio River, in April 1945.
To commemorate this historic milestone and to celebrate the glory and service to the nation a ceremonial parade was organised in Pune on Wednesday which was reviewed by the senior most serving officer of the battalion, Lieutenant General Ashok Ambre, Ati Vishist Seva Medal Bar, Sena Medal, Quartermaster General.
The Veer Naris (widows) and next of kin of the martyrs of the battalion were felicitated during the event to commemorate their supreme sacrifice in service to the Nation.
A wreath laying ceremony was organised as a solemn memorial service in the honour of the gallant martyrs who laid down their lives for the glory of the battalion. In addition, a special first day cover by the Army Postal Service was released, while numerous in-house events were also organised on the occasion.
