Know About the Naga Regiment – Head Hunters in Kargil

The Naga Regiment of the Indian Army is an infantry force famous for its deadly counterparts and fierceness with the enemy troops on the battleground. It is that special force of the Army that is called when the situation gets out of control during the enemy encounters to achieve victory. In this article, we will share information about the Naga Regiment and why they are famous by the name “Head Hunters” in Kargil. 

Naga Regiment- Headhunters of Kargil

Naga Regiment is a special infantry unit belonging to the Indian Army, which is also the youngest among all other forces. The first battalion of this unit was raised in 1970 in Ranikhet. In this troop, 50% of officers are Nagas, while the additional 50% comprises Garwalis, Gorkhas, and Kumaonis in equal numbers. Most of the recruitments are done from Nagaland of Northeast India. 

Naga Regiment is also popular by the name “Head Hunters” because of a reason. Traditionally, the Naga Tribal of the Northeast used to keep the skull of people for two reasons, (i) the skull of their dead ancestors out of gratitude and due respect and (ii) the skull of the dead enemy as a sign of victory. And due to this reason, the tribe got the name Headhunters. 

In the Indian Army, there are only three Naga Regiments and one Territorial Army of Naga Regiment.

What is The History Behind Naga Regiment 

Back in 1957, the Naga people were in a rebellion against the government, and the youth took over arms. The people of Naga organized a convention to bring peace to the Northeast region. The charter consists of many demands that were hard to fulfill. Of those demands, the one above the others was for the statehood of Nagaland and a separate unit in the Indian Air Force for the Naga people. Both the conditions were fulfilled, and in1963, Naga Regiment was raised. 

Facts About Naga Regiment 

1. In Operation Romeo, which was held in the Kupwara District, Jammu Kashmir, two soldiers of the Naga Regiment participated. Their mission was to dominate a 24 km long Line of Control occupied by the enemy. The mission was a success, and there were zero casualties. 

2. 2 soldiers of the Naga Regiment went on the UN Mission in Sudan and got the award of UN Force Commander’sCommander’s Appreciation Card. 

3. During the LoC, where the Pakistani enemies and mujahideen fighters were occupying the heights of the Indian side, it was 2 Naga in the first units involved in the theatre of conflict. 

4. There is another important role of Naga in the crucial act of capturing Tiger Hill on the 3rd/4th of July in 1999, followed by Pt 4875 complex. During the operation, 8 Sikhs held the right flank while the left one was for 2 Naga only. 18 Grenadiers captured the hill, and Naga lost 30 men that night. Along with that, 80 injured men were also there. 

5. During the operation to capture Pt 4875, Naga successfully captured the Twin Bumps feature by 1200 on 6th July. They faced heavy mortar positions, with 82mm and 12mm mortars aimed at National Highways and Dras Town. 

Post-capturing Twin Bumps, on 8th July, a raid was launched by 2 Naga on the enemy mortar region. To everyone’s shock, a 23-year-old Sepoy ImliakumAo killed the guard positioned at the outer area of the Mortar position. Further, the men successfully stormed the mortar positions, i.e. 3x82mm and 4X120 mm and killed 4 rivals. 

For his bravery, Sepoy Imliakumao received Mahavir Chakra- the 2nd highest wartime military award. 

On 10th July, the undefeated Naga launched an attack on Rocky Knob, Tip and Hump and got them under the Indian Army. And with this, their courage and reputation just got another mark and pride in the Army. 

After Naga took victory at the LoC, the organization gave them a customary welcome by firing at shells. That was a day to remember for all.