Skinner’s Horse moved on special trains from Varanasi under the Commanding Officer, Lt Col GBS Sidhu to Patti in Punjab on September 8, 1965. The regiment was placed under the command of 15 Infantry Division for operations. ‘A’ Squadron (Rajput) was placed under the command of 96 Infantry Brigade and was tasked to assist 7 Punjab in mopping up operations along the eastern bank of Ravi from Kakkar to Ranian.

‘A’ Squadron successfully ensured that the area was clear of enemy resistance. Two tanks of the squadron were hit and ALD Satprakash Singh laid down his life defending the motherland. The other martyrs who laid down their lives were Sowars Mukhtiar Singh and Joginder Singh and Nk Shyam Singh.

‘B’ Squadron (Sikhs) commanded by Maj JL Khosla was placed under the command of 50 (I) Para Bridge. It assisted the Para Bridge in the capture of Bhamma and Bhatta on September 17/18, 1965. Subsequently, the squadron took up counter penetration position in Bhamma-Bhatta area and ensured that all efforts of the enemy to recapture the area were beaten back. September 15/16, ‘B’ Squadron along with 50 (I) Para Bridge Group moved to Attari. The Bridge Commander asked for a volunteer who would place his tank on the bridge of Ichhogil Canal as a shield so that engineer-demolishing party could blow the bridge. Dfr Gian Singh and his crew volunteered for this task and the bridge was destroyed. On the night of September 18/19, the enemy, supported by armour, launched a fierce counter-attack from area Dograi on the two companies of 3 Para deployed in general area north of UBD canal. ‘B’ Squadron beat back this counter-attack.

In the desert sector, the regiment’s 3 (I) Armoured Squadron did a commendable job. It was commanded by Maj L Chopra and was placed under 30 Infantry Brigade. It was instrumental in the capture of Gadra city. It also recaptured Khadeen near Munabao. All through this campaign, the squadron remained in counter-penetration role in Gadra city.

Armed Forces continue to draw the best from amongst the NCC cadets for a commission in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The cadets have been looking towards career in the Armed Forces as a way to serve the nation. Of the 1879 cadets undergoing training at National Defence Academy, at present, the number of cadets having NCC background is 385. Similarly, out of the 339 cadets who entered the portals of the Officers Training Academy, 129 have an NCC background. At the Indian Military Academy, this figure is 150 out of 495. The number of girl cadets donning the Armed Forces’uniform is also considerable.

The NCC training has been helping a large number of cadets to enter into different ranks of Army, Air Force and Navy. The training has been providing an extra edge to the cadets by giving them grace marks of five and eight for ‘A’ and ‘B’ certificates respectively. The ‘C’ certificate holders have an even greater advantage as they are exempt from written exam conducted by UPSC for a Short Service Commission.

Thanks to the training being imparted by NCC, the cadets have been proving themselves in sports too. The NCC cadets have won many medals and championships over the years. In the recently held GV Mavlankar Shooting Championship in Chennai, the cadets romped home gold, silver and bronze medals in various categories. NCC participated in the championship for the second time.

In the ‘open sight prone' category, JUO ID Mohammed of West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate and Cdt George Giddu of Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate bagged gold medal. Both of them also got silver and bronze medals respectively in the ‘peep sight’ category. Sgt Manali from Rajasthan Directorate and Cdt Deepali Bhope of Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh Directorate got gold medal in ‘open sight’ and ‘peep sight’ respectively.

Speaking at a special sainik sammelan organised by 61st Cavalry at Jaipur on the occasion of their golden jubilee, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen NC Vij announced a bonanza of benefits for both serving and retired personnel of the Army.

A new scheme worth Rs 18 crore for married accommodation of service personnel was sanctioned by the government. He said that heneceforth service personnel would not have to wait for accommodation to live with their families. Gen Vij said, "For the entire force, 2.90 lakh houses would be constructed out of which 2.10 lakh are for Army personnel. By next January the construction would start. Within next five years the project would be materialised." He added that this was one of the standing demands of the Armed Forces to which the government has accepted.

On Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Gen Vij said that the beneficiary of this scheme need not have to pay and claim reimbursement later. He added that payments would be settled by the hospitals. The contributions of ex-servicemen to Army Group Insurance would be returned irrespective of treatment availed to facilitate the newly launched ECHS. He added that to cover the time lag a sum of Rs. 1 crore had already been disbursed from private funds. Ex-servicemen would now have the choice of selecting a hospital, after being referred by the Army hospital. Further, CSD canteen facilities would be available at hospitals too.

In a bid to refurbish the Armed Forces, improved quality uniforms would be introduced along with a new personal kit. Keeping the basic dress unchanged, the General informed that within two years the upgraded uniforms would be an in thing.