Jammu, 14 April :Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion has its roots in the aftermath of Communal passion and the smoldering embers of partition in October 1947, when hordes of barbaric tribesmen descended in the vale of Kashmir. Against this backdrop of a disintegrating kingdom and violent bloodshed, citizens of J&K rose as one and organised themselves into voluntary groups to defend their motherland against the Pakistani raiders. The resistance groups formed were the National Home Guards, Bal Sena, Poonch Scouts and Leh Militia among scores of many other smaller groups.A strong voluntary group emerged in Srinagar town in the month of October 1947 in response to the call by Sheikh Abdullah who galvanised and energised the efforts of all other smaller voluntary groups towards a common aim with increased vigour. The group was named as the ‘First Sher-e-Kashmir National Home Guard.On 15 April 1948 these organisations were amalgamated and rechristened as The Jammu and Kashmir Militia. Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion had the proud privilege to become the senior most Battalion of the Militia Force and came to be known as First Battalion The Jammu and Kashmir Militia (Sher-e-Kashmir). 15 April is since then being celebrated as the Unit’s first Raising Day.During the trying period between 1947 and 1971, when the state of Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a struggle, The Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion – as the true Sons of the soil, stood the acid test of appreciating and controlling the emerging complex situation. The outstanding performance and devotion between 1947 and 1971 was rightly rewarded in December 1972 and the Force thus was reorganised to be at par with the Regular Army. On 27 April 1976, the Militia Force was redesignated as Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment and the Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion as First Battalion The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Sher-e-Kashmir).
During 1971 Indo-Pak War, the Battalion was assigned with the challenging task of capturing the indomi8table LOSAR Post of the enemy opposite Kanzalwan Sector (then as part of 19 Infantry Division). The ferocious and resolute attacks by the Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion resulted in capture of the objective on 06 December 1971 with large casualties to the enemy which broke enemy’s bastion of defences in that sector. The Sher-e-Kashmir battalion commemorates 06 Decmeber as LOSAR Day.
Lt Col HN Singhal had the rare distinction of being the first Commanding Officer of the unit. Since then the Battalion has served on all borders of the country and overseas as part of the IPKF during ‘OP PAWAN’.On 10 October 1998, another golden chapter was added to the history of Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion when it was presented with the Colours by HE Shri KR Narayanan, the then President of India.
The unit was awarded GOC-in-C Northern Command Unit Appreciation Card on 25 January 2006 for OUTSTANDING performance in OP IMDAD.The Sher-e-Kashmir Battalion has been conferred with the following honours and awards for gallantry and distinguished service:-
Ø Vir Chakra 02
Ø Shourya Chakra 01
Ø Sena Medal 14
Ø Mention-in-Despatches 07
Ø COAS Commendation Card 46
Ø GOC-in-C Commendation Card 02