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INS Ganga being affiliated to the army

The guided missile frigate INS Ganga is to be formally affiliated to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment at a function to be held on board the ship at the naval dockyard in Bombay on Tuesday.

This affiliation will be the seventh in a row to cement army-navy operational association. The earlier such associations were between aircraft carrier INS Viraat and Garhwal Rifles (1990), INS Khukri and Gorkha Rifles (1992), INS Khanjar and Kumaon Regiment (1993), INS Ranvir and J and K Rifles (1994), INS Ranvijay with Dogra Regiment (1997) and INS Ranjit with Punjab Regiment (1997).

The affiliation between Indian naval ships and army regiments was instituted in 1990 when the guided missile destroyer INS Rajput was affiliated to Rajput Regiment.

INS Ganga provided fire support during de-induction of the second battalion of the JAKLI regiment from Somalia in December 1994 where the battalion was deployed as part of the United Nations' force there.

This operational association is now being cemented as an affiliation between INS Ganga and J and K regiment, a defence release said.

The inter-service affiliations is aimed at providing a clear view of the realities of the respective frontline and operating conditions of the defence services and to nurture mutual respect that will foster greater understanding and togetherness.

The affiliations are also intended to promote exchange of personnel and experiences between the ships and the affiliated regiments during exercises and operations, the release added.

At Tuesday's ceremony, the colonel of the J and K Light Infantry Major General H S Mangat, who is also the commandant of the training centre of the National Security Guard, and commanding officer of INS Ganga Captain Satinder Pal Singh will exchange banners, souvenir and crests marking the formal affiliation between the two wings of the forces.

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