PUNJAB REGIMENT

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Context

• In a historic development, soldiers from the Punjab Regiment are set to march in Paris in the Bastille Day Parade after 107 years.

READ ABOUT BASTILLE DAY PARADE: https://iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/bastille-day

All about Punjab Regiment

• The Punjab Regiment is the second oldest regiment still in service in the Indian Army, and is the most senior regional infantry regiment.
• It was formed from the 2nd Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army in 1947 and has taken part in various battles and wars since, winning numerous honours for the same.
• Prior to independence and partition there were a number of "Punjab Regiments" in the British Indian Army. These were amalgamated to form six regiments: the 1st Punjab Regiment, the 2nd Punjab Regiment, the 8th Punjab Regiment, the 14th Punjab Regiment, the 15th Punjab Regiment and the 16th Punjab Regiment. At the onset of independence in 1947, the 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments went over to the newly raised Pakistan Army, while the 2nd Punjab Regiment was retained in the Indian Army. Troops were transferred between regiments based on whether the soldiers would be a part of Pakistan or India.
• The Punjab Regiment, has participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations.
• In World War-I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours.
• Soldiers of the Regiment fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus and France.
• In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915, earning the Battle Honours ‘Loos’ and ‘France and Flanders’.
• In World War-II, they earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours.
• The Regiment draws the bulk of its rank and file from Punjab and some neighbouring areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu region.

https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/punjab-regiment-soldiers-set-to-march-in-bastille-day-parade