The Indian army not only protects us from external threats, but it also helps us in dire situations. They are our real life heroes. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the most interesting facts about our army.
- Master of the cold.
Along with Pakistan, India holds a battle station at the height of 5000 meters above sea level. It has been reported as the coldest place in the country with the temperature dropping down to as low as -50 degrees. It is also the highest ever military camp; many battles were fought in this region against Pakistan in 1984.
- Biggest volunteer army
As of 2010, India had over 1.4 million active and 2.1 million reserve army personnel, making it the biggest volunteer army in the world. There is military conscription in our amendment but it has never been enforced.
- High Altitude experts
The High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) was founded by the Indian army. It has since been visited by armies and special forces of many countries like USA, Russia, etc for training.
- Master of disguise
Indian executed its nuclear weapons testing in such a coveted way that even CIA was unaware of it. It has been recorded as one of their biggest espionage failures.
- No discrimination
The Indian army is the only branch of the government that is free of any caste based reservation. The candidates are recruited only on the basis of their merit and physical endurance.
- Outmaneuvering the Enemies
The Battle of Longewala is known as one of the strongest display of our military prowess. It was fought between India and Pakistan in 1971, in which 120 Indian soldiers stood their ground against 2000 Pakistani soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, the Indian army suffered only two casualties.
- Operation Rahat
A major flood destroyed Uttarakhand in 2013. The Indian army then conducted the biggest civilian rescue operation in the world. They rescued over 20,000 people and dropped over 3,82,400 kg of relief material.
- Last cavalry regiment
The Indian army has one of the last cavalry regiments in the world. It is said there are only three such regiments amongst the armies around the world.
- Building the highest bridge in the world
In 1982, the Indian Army completed an impossible task of constructing the highest bridge in the Ladakh valley between Dras and Suru rivers.
- Creation of Bangladesh
At the end of Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 over 93,000 combatants surrendered along with top ranking officers of the Pakistani army. It was the largest number of POWs taken into the custody after the Second World War. This eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh.
