Ladakh Scouts
| Ladakh Scouts | |
|---|---|
Regimental insignia of the Ladakh Scouts | |
| Active | 1963–present |
| Country | India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Army |
| Type | Mountain infantry |
| Role | Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal Close-quarters battle Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency HUMINT Internal security Long-range penetration Maneuver warfare Mountain warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Tracking Urban warfare |
| Size | 5 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Phyang, Leh, Ladakh |
| Nickname(s) | Snow Warriors, Snow Leopards |
| War Cry | Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo (Victory to God). |
| Decorations | 1 Unit citation, 1 Ashok Chakra, 2 Mahavir Chakra, 2 Kirti Chakra, 2 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 26 Vir Chakra, 6 Shaurya Chakra, 3 Yudh Seva Medals, 64 Sena Medals, 13 Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Mentions-in-Dispatches, 67 Chief of Army Staff commendation cards, 2 Jeevan Raksha Padak |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General MP Singh |
| Insignia | |
| Insignia | Himalayan Ibex |
The Ladakh Scouts is a mountain infantry regiment of the Indian Army, nicknamed as the "Snow Warriors" or "Snow Leopards". The regiment specializes in cold-weather warfare and mountain warfare, long-range penetration, maneuver warfare, raiding with small unit tactics, and reconnaissance in difficult to reach and dangerous terrain. Its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Ladakh Scouts were formed in 1963 by spinning off the Ladakhi battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Militia. They were converted into an Army regiment in 2000. The Ladakh Scouts recruits mainly from India's Ladakhi and Tibetan ethnic communities, and is among the army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honoured with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including a Unit citation, one Ashok Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.