267 Engineers Coffee Table Book Dated 4.11.2017

Hamesha A - One

The Golden Milestone

Saga of tireless striving, excellence and glory over the past five decades...

Content

04 Sappers and Miners
06 Message From The Col Comdt
08 Message from Senior Most Serving Officer
10 Message From The First Tiger
12 Tiger Roars
14 From the Editor’s Desk
16 The Golden Jubilee Team

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18 And thus we came into being 114 The Blasters

30 Evolution over the Decades 116 Blessings of the Almighty

78 118Skippers’ Gallery and their Confidante Seasons of Festivity

84 Saga of Glory 120 Band of Brothers

92 They made us Proud 122 Better and Important Halves

98 126Our Institutions and Bejewelled Heritage Know your current

Hamesha A-One Team

128 Wedded in the Olive Greens
130 Did you Know ?
140 Contributions by Offrs
145 Our Inspiration
150 Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Tha

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Sappers

& Miners

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Early battles involved the breaching of mud walls of forts or fortifed cities. The Sapper was tasked to construct
‘saps’. The main object was to bring guns forward through dug trenches, into protected batteries from which the
enemy fortifcations could be battered until a breach was created. The parapets of the trenches and batteries were
protected with cylindrical containers of earth and rubble known as ‘gabions’ and often reinforced by sandbags. As
siege warfare developed and the range of artillery guns improved, allowing them to fire from the rear, the trench
system was required to allow forward movement of the infantry. The main trenches in the system were dug parallel
to the enemy’s works so that protection was available against his fire along the length of the trench. A short
connecting trench known as a ‘sap’ was dug to work forward to the next parallel.
It was the Sapper’s task to plan all this work, direct the digging parties and lead the assaulting force to the point
of attack. They carried scaling ladders and other stores required to breach the walls.
‘Follow the Sapper’ became the key phrase for the infantry force.
Tunnels were dug up to the walls of forts. A chamber was made at the end of the tunnel. It was filled with explosive
and blown, creating a breach. This was called a ‘mine’. The task was given to the Miners.
The Corps of Engineers began as ‘Sappers and Miners’ and the troops are called ‘Sappers’ even today.

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Message from

Colonel Commandant

The Bombay Sappers

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Lt Gen Michael Mathews, VSM**

It is my privilege to connect with the 267 Hamesha A-One Regt fraternity through this special edition of the
Regt to commemorate their Golden Jubilee. At the outset, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to each
one of you in all your endeavours in the times to come.

The 267 Hamesha A-One Regt has grown from strength to over the years and we can rightly look back with pride
on this Regt’s achievements. The award of GOC-in-C Unit Appreciation to unit on Army Day 2015 bears testimony
to the professionalism and hard work of this elite outfit of the The Bombay Sappers.

I also take this opportunity to salute martyrs of the Regt who have laid down their lives in the best traditions of our
Army to uphold the flag of the 267 Hamesha A-One Regt.

I am certain that the Regt will continue to grow into a modern, efficient and outstanding force, bringing honour and
pride to our Army and the Nation.

I would like to compliment the Commanding Officer and the Editorial Team for their excellent effort in compiling
and bringing out this special edition of the Regtl magazine.

May God Bless You All.

Jai Hind !

(Michael Mathews)
Lieutenant General
Colonel Commandant
The Bombay Sappers and
Comdt, College of Military Engineering, Pune

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Message from

Senior Most Serving
Officer

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On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of 267 Engineer Regiment, I convey my greetings and felicitations to all
retired and serving officers,JCOs,men and their families.It is a matter of pride for the unit to complete 50 years of
raising and the Regiment fraternity should be proud of its glorious history and stellar achievements.The Regiment
has earned a name for itself while serving in different types of terrain and operational roles.All Ranks should
continue to draw inspiration from this rich legacy and strive to achieve greater heights of glory,in the years to come.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations would be an opportune moment for each team member to re-dedicate himself in
service to the Nation and uphold the lofty traditions and high standards ,set in the Regiment.

I wish the celebrations a grand success.

Jai Hind !

(Manoj Pande)
Lieutenant General
Chief of Staff
HQ Southern Command

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Message from

The First Tiger

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As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our raising, I send warm greetings and my best wishes to Colonel Rahul
Ranjan and all ranks of 267 Engineer Regiment and their families. I would like to equally send the same sentiments to
the 267 Engineer Regiment extended family consisting of retired personnel of the Regiment and their families. Fifty
years is a good period to take stock of a unit and assess its strengths and weaknesses, only then can appropriate
authorities determine any changes needed to add to the laurels of the Regiment and enhance its good name.

The unit had got off to a flying start in 1963-65 having performed well in its operational role in the 1965 war. Since
then it has undergone many changes. Its organisation and equipment have been changed to suit its operational
role and it has evolved into a Army Engineer Regiment. Throughout this period including the 1971 war the unit has
carried out its operational roles excellently and added fresh laurels to its name. Successive Commanding Officers
have ensured that the Regiment is always ready and fit to carry out its operational roles. The unit has also carried
out a number of peace time tasks in its role as an Engineer Regiment and further enhanced its reputation.

All in all, the Regiment can be very proud of its achievements in its fifty years of existence and I am confident that
the Regiment will through its actions and deeds grow from strength to strength in the coming years. I take this
opportunity once again of congratulating everyone on this occasion of the Golden Jubilee and wish the Regiment
and all people connected with it all success in the future.

Jai Hind !

Lt Col J P Chopra

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Tiger Roars

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After a very rewarding tenure with the Chetak Corps, the Regt was inducted into High Altitude Area in Sep 2015
with the ‘Forever In Ops’ Division. Our stint at Bathinda had been full of successes with the Regt being awarded
the prestigious “GOC-in-C SWC Unit Appreciation” for exemplary performance.
Having crossed the historical milestone of fifty years, we bring out this edition of the Regt News letter that throws
light on the rich heritage and traditions that have been bequeathed to us by our elders and the achievements that
have given us a unique identity among the Sapper fraternity.
I take this opportunity to extend my wishes and felicitations to the entire family of HAMESHA A-ONE, both serving
ranks and veterans for their unflinching support and guidance throughout.
“Once a 267er, Hamesha A-One for life !”

Col Rahul Ranjan
Commanding Officer
267 Engr Regt

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From

Editor’s Desk

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Maj Bhavesh Mudgal Maj Nitin Narula

‘Hamesha -A-One’, the name speaks for itself aloud about the winning spirit and illustrious saga of glory of
the Regt. Another feather has been added to the bejewelled cap as we celebrate this momentous occasion - the
Golden Jubilee of the Regt.

It is an immense satisfying and proud moment to present our journey to you since inception to half a century. It has
been an adventurous voyage of the Regt through thick and thin and same has been our experience to pen it down.
It is an effort to compile and preserve our history for generations gone by to cherish and for our future generations
to take inspiration from. It is our endeavour to take the readers through the past and present of the Regt and for
all those who have walked with uas, it is definitely going to strike a nostalgic chord.

This book would not have seen the light of the day without the vision and guidance of Col Rahul Ranjan,
Commanding Officer, contribution of photographs and historical insights by our Veterans and tireless efforts of
compilation at the Regiment level.

We look forward to your sincere suggestions and opinion to make this publication an even better reading experience
in the times to come.

The curtain thus unfolds to welcome you to be part of this joyous ride!

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The Golden Jubilee Team

Col Rahul Ranjan Lt Col Avinash Negi Lt Col C H Rao Maj Nikhil Sharma

Maj Prashant Singh Capt Anuradha Singh Capt T S Kherwal Capt Sumit Patil

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Capt A S Sarmal Maj Ashok Kumar Maj Nitin Narula Maj Pankaj Dahiya

Maj K Jayanth Maj G Balhara Capt Vijay Bisht Capt S Lakhanpal

Lt Gurteg Singh Lt RGDS Rawat Lt Vasu

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And Thus

We Came Into Being

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Regt HQ Sabse Behtar

Regt Headquarter ‘Sabse Behtar’ was
formed when all three Fd Coys and Fd Pk
coy were merged to from 467 Army Tps
Engrs in 1965. Over the years, RHQ has
played a pivotal role in the functioning of
the Regt. Our motto speaks itself about
the legacy we have created over the
decades. “Regiment Headquarter Sabse
Behtar” was formally given to RHQ by Col
N K Verma in 2004.

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299 Sabse Fine

As integral part of 759 Plant unit, 299 Resources
Coy was raised in 1961. Some of the proj exec by 299
Resources Coy was the extension of Leh air field in 1966
with 267 Army Engr Regt. Later, the coy became part of
267 Engr Regt as 299 Fd Pk Coy and carried out many
tasks over the years and supported the Fd Coys in terms
of sustenance and enhancing op capability. During OP
PARAKARAM 299 Fd Pk coy was instrumental in supporting
the Div Administration Area at Sattasar. The coy was
extensively involved in store management over the years
and was appreciated by Lt Gen PM Hariz, GOC Corps for
establishing Fwd Store Dump at Suratgarh. In 2015, the
Commanding Officers’ banner was awarded to 299 Fd Pk.
The coy has proven its mettle in mountainous trn of Pattan
and Khumbathang where the Engr Plants were heavily
committed in constr of op tr and snow clearance.

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31 Josh-E-Dum

31 Fd Fd Coy has the distinction of being the oldest and the Senior most Coy in 267 Engr Regt. Maj SDS Bhalla was the
Coy Cdr of this elite Coy from Jan 1963 to Jan 1965. In Apr 1963, 31 Fd Coy and 299 Fd Pk Coy were combined to form 467
Army Tps Engrs. During the 1965 ops in Lahore sector, 31 Field Coy supported brigade / division offensive as part of Corps
thrust astride the GT road axis (Wagah-Dograi) to secure territory upto the east bank of canal and destroy / capture of bridges
including Ichhogil Uttar bridge. The coy along with the Bde had reached at one pt just 6 Kms short of Lahore. Col (then Lt)
S K Bhatia of 31 Fd Coy destroyed an en up-gunned Sherman Tank with PEK at Husainabad (Lahore sect) on 09 Sep 1965
and aggressively carried out mine fd breaching at Waghrian, right under en MMG nest. On 04 Sep 1972, under the exemplary
leadership of Maj B B Dhodi, 11 brave men of this coy laid down their lives in a valiant effort to control the fire on a mines and
explosive laden veh and the veh exploded. In order to commemorate their sacrifice, this day is still remembered as Shahidi-
Diwas. 31 Fd Coy was the first Coy to start mine laying in OP PARAKARAM and was much appreciated for the task. The
tps of this Coy zealously strive for excellence in all spheres and truly live up to the Coy motto of 31 Josh-E-Dum. Being the
oldest Coy of the Regt, it has performed every task allotted to it, with utmost dedication, and has been a proud recipient of
the Commanding Officers’ banner eight out of 14 times.

31 FD COY loc at Dras

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181 Hausle Buland

Inauguration of Khardung Hydel
Project constr by 181 Constr Coy
by Lt Gen K P Candeth, GOC

181 Engr Constr Coy was raised as an experimental 181 FD COY In Kargil
type unit in Dighi Camp, Pune on 19 Mar 1957 with
two pls from Bombay Sappers and two pls from the
Bengal Sappers under an adhoc special WE with a str
of 04 Offrs, 08 JCOs and 373 OR. It was a Special
Wks Coy Engrs. Some of the projs exec by 181 Engr
Constr Coy deserving special mention are the Constr
of 463 Md Qtrs (Ambala 1958-59), Constr of 770 Md
Qtrs (Firozpur 1960-61), Constr of earthquake proof
shelters (Guwahati 1964-66) and 200 Bedded Hospital
at Leh 1964-66. The coy also constr the famous
Khardung Hydel Project which was inaugurated by Lt
Gen K P Candeth, GOC. The present day Dharmund
(Batote), Bhalra, Thalela garrisons have been constr
by the coy in 1999 during Batote tenure. The coy
was extensively involved in mine laying tasks during
OP PARAKRAM. The Coy was also involved in
rehabilitation of shelters and Permanent Defences in
Poonch Sector after the devastating earthquake of
2005. A 6 Km long Operational Track Laxmi Saddle
to Patiala was constructed by 181 Hausale Buland in
2010-11 in Naugam Sector which was appreciated by
Lt Gen S A Hasnain, GOC. During Bathinda tenure the
coy was heavily commited in op wks constr at MFFR.

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360 Chak Do Veero

360 Fd Coy was raised on 01 Dec 1966. The first
Company Cdr of the 360 Fd Company was Maj Krishna
Khurana in Leh. During 1989 to 1993 in Khetolai, this
company was given the responsibility for the security of
the nuclear test site. During 1997 to 1999 it became a part
of Delta Force and conducted many operational tasks in
Bhaderwah and Sui valley. Badherwah garrison has also
been constr by the coy in 1999 during Batote tenure The
foundation stone for the Bhaderwah Mil Stn was placed
by Shri George Fernandes on 24 Aug 1998. The fd coy
has had a varied operational experience ranging from mine
laying / demining on sand dunes during OP PARAKRAM,
op wks, AIOS Resuc, constr of op & AT trs during tenures
in Northern Comd. On 01 Dec 2016, during the celebration
of Golden Jubilee Raising Day, 360 Fd Coy was awarded
Commanding Officers’ Banner for performing exceptionally
well in Op Tasks in the Batalik Sector.

181 FD COY In Kargil

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Evolution
Over The Decades

The “Hamesha A-One” Regt has a long and illustrious
history. In the last five decades since its raising, the Regt
has created a niche for itself in The Corps of Engineers and
The Bombay Sappers.

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Formations Served

LEH & KARGIL AUNDH, PUNE PATHANKOT Akhnoor, Rajauri
1966-69 1971 1971 1972-73

CME, PUNE Akhnoor DINJAN YOL
1973-77 1977-81 1981-85 1985-89

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POKHRAN, KHETOLAI MEERUT DODA , BATOTE BIKANER
1989-93 1993-97 1997-99 1999-2003

RAJAOURI, NARIYAN AMRITSAR PATTAN BATHINDA
2003-06 2006-09 2009-12 2012-15

KHUMBATHANG JALANDHAR
2015 - 2017 2017 - TILL DT

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Participation in Operations

Op RIDDLE - 1965 Op CACTUS LILY - 1971 Op TRIDENT - 1987

Op MEGHDOOT - 1987 Op RAKSHAK - 1997 - 99

Op VIJAY - 1999

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Op PARAKRAM - 2001 - 03 Op RAKSHAK - 2003 - 06 Op IMDAD - 2006

Op IMDAD - 2006 Op KOSI PRAHAR - 2008

Op RAKSHAK - 2009 - 2012 Op RAKSHAK - 2015 - 2017

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Raising

The Regt was raised at
Leh on 01 Dec 1966 with
HQ 467 Army Tps Engrs
as its nucleus. 31 Fd Coy,
181 Constr Coy, 360 Fd
Coy and 299 Resources
Coy, which were indep
coys and 759 Indep Plant
Pl were merged to form
267 Army Engr Regt.
Extract of raising history obtained from archives from BEG, Kirkee.

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LEH & KARGIL

1966-69

The Regt’s first tenure on raising was in Leh and Kargil up
to 1969 where in the Regt handled a number of op tasks
which contributed towards the improvement of quality of
living of tps. The Regt undertook extension of air fd at
Leh, est of permt water sup scheme and commissioning
of micro hydel stn at Ganglas and construction of Kargil
ALG. In 1967, the Regt undertook the Leh air fd when it
was flooded due to unprecedented rains.

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1 - Extension Of Leh Airfeld
2 - Accn for Div HQ Staff at Leh
3 - Constr of ATC at Leh Air Fd
4 - Laying of Pipeline for Leh Grn
5 - Constr of Shelters for Div

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AUNDH, PUNE

1969-71

The Regt constr a 210 feet Double Triple Bailey
Br over a gap created due to collapse of a
Hamilton Br on Zuari R in Goa. The Regt was
the nodal agency for the introduction of ‘Strip
method of mine laying’ to the Indian Army
and conducted first demo of the same at HQ
Southern Comd. A ‘jetty’ was made by the Regt
in Chennai when Regt had the resp for conduct
of Asian Regatta and a bridging training camp
was established by 181 Fd Coy in Kota.

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210 Feet Double Triple Bailey Br
over a gap created due to collapse
of a Hamilton Br on Zuari River in Goa.

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PATHANKOT

1971

In 1971, the Regt participated in OP CACTUS LILY in
Pathankot sect. Regt was in Shakargarh area during ops
and the Regt sp offensive of an Inf Bde from Ikhlaspur.
181 Fd Coy was deployed in Mukerian, 360 Fd Coy
was deployed in Pathankot Air Field and 299 Resources
Coy near MH Pathankot. 22 brs were prepared for res
demolition on Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC). The Regt
constructed an alternative crossing with the help of hume
pipes, over Chakki river, as only one br was existing on
the river and was the only link for all the supplies to the
offensive force. The Regt also contributed by constr Comd
Post and Ops Room for Corps Headquarter and also by
laying of extensive mine fds in gen area ‘Basantar’. During
this tenure the Regt had fabricated mine breaching steel
shoes, hand operated foot rollers, launchers for vipers
and Ditch-Cum-Bund xg ladders. During later part of Nov
1971, 31 Fd Coy moved up in support of a Mtn Div adv on
Sakhargarh, where Lt S J Sharma of 181 Fd coy lost his
foot during a mine breaching op.

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1 - Improvised mine fd breaching roller
2 - Innovation : Anti Mine Boots
3 - Innovation briefing : Anti Mine Boots
4 - Demining : 1971 Ops
5 - Archives from 1971 Ops
6 - Underground ADS Constr in 1971
Ops
7 & 8 - Trials for use of Improvised
Expedients at
Pathankot in 1971

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Akhnoor
Rajauri

1972-73

The mov to Akhnoor had taken place just after the
1971 war and lot of improvement in infrastructure
was sanctioned and Regt was tasked for same
under ‘Op Sudhar’. 181 Constr Coy was managing
a ‘Prefabricated RCC beam factory’ at Akhnoor
near Chenab river and 360 Fd Coy was managing
a ‘Hollow block factory’ near Naushera to assist
speedy constr as part of Op Sudhar. 31 Fd Coy
was with Inf Div and was tasked to constr rd from
Krishna Ghati to Cease Fire Line, where during
the transhipment of explosives to KG Top, a veh
containing explosives exploded and six NCOs
and five OR of 31 Fd Coy were martyred in the
explosion.

In 1972, the unit was rechristened as 267 Engr
Regt. Thereafter, it was moved to Rajouri sect
and primarily emp for op wks in Inf Div sect. Regt
made lots of ‘Sudhar Huts’ which were a kind of
prefabricated timber huts for tps in FDLs. A large
no of fd defs and shelters in the Corps Z from
Akhnoor to KG Top still bear the name of the Regt.

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1 & 2 - Trials of Star Shaped Pill Box
3 & 4 - ‘Sudhar Hut’ constr in prog

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CME, PUNE

1973-77

The Regt had the dual task of being the
demo and sp unit for CME during this
tenure and also provided close engr sp to
fmns of Corps. The Regt was instrumental
in formulating and validating the concept
of constr of Op Tr / CAM using flexible
duckboards in deserts. The Regt moved
out in 1977.

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1 & 2 - Jeep trials on Railway track
3 - The team at CME, Pune

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AKHNOOR

1977-81

From 1977 to 1981, the Regt was again at Akhnoor,
where it participated in various ex and exec op wks.
360 Fd Coy was involved in the constr of defs in
Naushera Sector. Various new design trials of the Op
wks incl bunkers was done by the Regt. The bunkers
were even tested by conducting live fire on them for
trials. The Regt conducted many demonstration for
these trials at various levels.

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1 & 2 - Raising day celebrations
3 - Team 267 at Akhnoor

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DINJAN

1981-85

In May 1981, the Regt moved to Dinjan and this
was the first time since raising that the Regt got
the opportunity to play role of a Div Engr Regt.
At Dinjan, the Regt constr married accn and also
provided aid to Oil India Ltd when there was a
strike by its employees in 1982. In addn, a 50 Ton
KM ferry was constructed on Tirap R and a 24
Ton ferry across Siang R in Arunachal Pradesh for
Oil India Ltd. Tiil dt, this has been the only tenure
of the Regt in Eastern Comd since its raising.

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