12th Armoured Regiment (India)

12th Armoured Regiment IAAC
Active	1984 – present
Country	India 1984-Present
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Army
Type	Armour
Size	Regiment
Nickname(s)	Barasinghas
Motto(s)	Sahauryamev Jeevanam (Life with Valour)[1]
Equipment	T-90
Commanders
Colonel of the Regiment	Major General Ashish Shah[2]
Insignia
Abbreviation	12 Armd Regt

The 12th Armoured Regiment is an armoured regiment which is part of the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army.^[3] The regiment was raised as an all-class regiment on 1 October 1984 by Lt Col L.R. Vaid at Kapurthala with Vijayanta tanks.

History

The regiment was subsequently converted to T-90 tanks.^[3][1] The regiment has served in Operation Trident, Operation Rakshak I and Operation Rakshak II.^[3]

The regiment has adopted the nickname Barasinghas (meaning 12-point stag), and representing the Barasingha, or swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), a deer species endemic to India. This was inspired by the statue of a barasingha stag in full cry in the palace of the Maharaja of Kapurthala. Each of the tines of the antlers is said to symbolise one of the 12 tank troops of the regiment.^[3]

The Regiment had the honour of participating in the annual Republic Day parade in 2004 and 2005.^[4]

The Regiment was presented the ‘President's Standards’ at Babina on 19 October 2010 by the then President of India, Mrs Prathiba Patil.^[5]

The regiment was awarded GOC-in-C, South Western Command Unit Citation in 2018.^[6]

Regimental Insignia

The cap badge of the unit has crossed lances and pennons, with the numeral 12 at the crossing, with the regimental motto inscribed on a scroll below in Devanagari script. The cap badge is in silver plate for officers and nickel plate for other ranks.^[3] The motto of the regiment is "Shauryamev Jeevnam" which means 'life with valour'.

References

1. "Sainik Samachar Nov 2010". 1 November 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
2. "Gazette of India No 45" (PDF). 7 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
3. Nath, Ashok (2009). Izzat: historical records and iconography of Indian cavalry regiments, 1750-2007. Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Service Institution of India. pp. 560–561. ISBN 978-81-902097-7-9.
4. "12 Armd Regt in Republic Day Parade in rediff.com". 26 January 2005. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
5. "12 Armoured Regiment - Presidents-Standards". 1 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
6. "Sapta Shakti Command Investiture Ceremony for the award of 'Unit Citations' to units, for professional excellence in various fields, was held at Jaipur Military Station today. 14 Units were awarded these Citations by Lt General Cherish Mathson, GOC-in-C, South Western Command". 20 March 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2023.