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Indian Army showcased its military strength in a joint military exercise ZAPAD 2021. The military exercise Zapad-2021 held in Russia from September 3, wherein troops of 17 countries have been invited. India will be participating in Zapad with a strength of 200 troops. The military exercise will end on September 16.
What is ZAPAD Exercise?
ZAPAD is a multi-nation military exercise where military from the invited countries show their military strength. ZAPAD 2021 took place at Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, which is 423 km east of Moscow. Zapad-2021 is a part of the annual series of large-scale exercises that are significant to the Russian Armed Force’s annual training cycle.
The series rotates through four main Russian strategic Commands, including Zapad (West), Vostok (East), Tsentr (Center), and Kavkaz (Caucasus). Besides Zapad, there are two more exercises that are planned in Russia — Exercise Indira and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Military exercise.
What is ZAPAD Exercise Countries List?
A total of 17 countries (including India) participated in this multi-nation military exercise. Below is the list of countries participated in ZAPAD Exercise 2021.
- India
- China
- Pakistan
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Indonesia
- Uzbekistan
- Turkmenistan
- Vietnam
- Serbia
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Kazakhstan
- Tajikistan
- Kyrgyzstan
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About Naga Regiment
In ZAPAD Exercise 2021, Naga Battalion Group took part from India. The Naga Regiment was raised on 1st November 1970. Its 1st Battalion (1 Naga) started its journey from the Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet, and was then designated as the ‘NAGA Regiment’
The regiment encompasses battalions of Kumaon, Garhwal, and Gorkha (3 GR) regiments. The regiment comprised 50% Nagas and 50% of an equal number of Kumaoni, Garhwali and Gorkhas as many Kumaon battalions had been associated with Nagaland, particularly in the years preceding the raising of the Naga Regiment. Later on 11th February 1985, the second battalion (2 Naga) was raised at Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
Nor many of you know that the Naga Battalion was the first one to be inducted into 1999 Kargil War on 11 May 1999. During this operation, the 2-Naga regiment captured the strategic Twin Bump feature in the Drass sector in July 1999. They were also involved in another crucial mission to neutralize strategically located Pakistani mortar position, which was targeting the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and hampering the movement of the men and machinery.
During Operation Vijay, the NAGA Battalion captured Black Rock, Pyramid (all part of Point 5140), Thums Up, Pimple Hill (later renamed as Naga Hill) and Point 5060.
For the exemplary contribution during the Kargil War 1999, the battalion was awarded two ‘Vir Chakra’ and two Sena Medals. 2 Naga was awarded ‘COAS Unit Citation’ twice for valor in the face of the enemy and their active part in Operation Vijay.