48 AD Regiment (India)

The regiment was raised on 1 May 1962 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel RTK Foregard as 48 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Deolali.^[1]

At the time of its formation, the Regiment was equipped with Bofors 40 mm L-60 anti-aircraft guns. Conversion to 40 mm L/70 guns was started on 20 May 1972 and completed on 27 July 1973. The Upgraded Super Fledermaus (USFM) radar replaced the Super Fledermaus (SFM) radars in September 2000.^[1]

The regiment has taken part in the following operations-^[1]

• Indo-Pakistani War of 1965: The regiment took part in Operation Ablaze and Operation Savage in the Eastern Sector. It protected airfields and critical areas, including deployment over rafts over the Brahmaputra River.
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: The regiment served in both the Western and Eastern Sectors, covering a long period from 20 August 1971 to 12 March 1972. It protected many vital areas during this operation.^[2][3][4][5]
• Operation Trident: The regiment took part in this massive exercise in 1987.
• Operation Rakshak I: The regiment was involved in counter-insurgency roles in 1991.
• Operation Rakshak II: The regiment took part in counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley between 1995 and 1997.
• Operation Vijay: The regiment was actively involved between 26 May 1999 and 12 November 1999 in the Western desert.
• Operation Sahayata : The unit was deployed from 27 October 2001 to 5 November 2001 to aid the civilian authorities in the riot hit town of Malegaon
• Operation Parakram: The regiment was fully geared up during this operation between December 2001 and November 2002.
• Officers and men from the regiment have been deputed for anti-terrorist operations as part of Rashtriya Rifles.^[6]

• The regiment has won the following awards^[1][7] -
  • Param Vishisht Seva Medal – 1
  • Sena Medal – 4
  • Vishisht Seva Medal – 1
  • Mentioned in dispatches – 1
  • COAS Commendation Cards – 6^[8][9][10]
  • CIDS Commendation Card – 1
  • GOC-in-C Commendation Card – 18