The Scorpion sting!
Never drop your guard and keep the eye on the opponent, if he surprises you then befuddle him with a rock solid punch!
– If you fell down yesterday, stand up today!
-Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength I learned it the hard way!
-FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again….even though every time you’ve tried before you’ve lost…….!
-The 10 Infantry Division, known as the “Crossed Swords Division” and headquartered at Akhnoor, is one of the most battle-hardened divisions of the Indian Army, having played a crucial role in defending the Jammu and Kashmir sector since its re-raising in 1965.
-Here are stories of courage and heroism from men associated with the 10th Infantry Division and its subordinate units:
-The Battle of Chamb (1971 War):
-The 10th Division was the primary formation defending the strategic Chhamb sector in 1971, facing intense attacks from Pakistan.
-The Defence at Jarpal: 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of the 17 Poona Horse (attached to the brigade fighting under 10 Div) showed extraordinary courage during the Battle of Basantar. When Pakistani tanks counter-attacked, Khetarpal continued fighting despite his tank being hit, destroying enemy tanks before making the supreme sacrifice at age 21.
-10th Para Battalion Action: On December 7, 1971, the 10th Para Battalion achieved a historic victory by attacking and conquering the town of Chachro in Sindh, Pakistan, under the leadership of Lt Col Sawai Bhawani Singh.
-Heroes of 10 Rashtriya Rifles (Counter-Insurgency)
-10 RR has been involved in high-stakes counter-terrorism operations in J&K.
-Captain Brijesh Thapa (Doda Operation): Leading from the front during an encounter in Doda in 2024, Capt Brijesh Thapa of 10 RR made the supreme sacrifice along with his comrades in an ambush against terrorists.
-10 Dogra Regiment’s Dera Baba Nanak Legend: The 10th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment (10 Dogra) is renowned for its assault to capture the Dera Baba Nanak bridge. Officers like Capt Devinder Singh Ahlawat and Lt Col Narinder Singh Sandhu were awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for their indomitable courage.
– Key Operational Battles
-Capturing Kalidhar Ridge (1965 War): During the 1965 war, after taking heavy casualties, the division fought back and captured Point 3776, giving Indian troops dominance over the Kalidhar ridge, which was critical to holding Akhnoor.
-Major D.N. Singh’s Counter-Attack: In the same sector, Major D.N. Singh led a fierce attack on Keri, repulsing the enemy after hand-to-hand combat.
These stories reflect the division’s motto of holding the line against overwhelming odds, particularly in the difficult terrain surrounding the Chenab river and the Jammu border.
-𝗚𝗢𝗖, 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 along with 𝗚𝗢𝗖 #𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 visited forward areas of Akhnoor to review 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 along the Line of Control. He interacted with troops deployed on the #𝗟𝗼𝗖 and was briefed on measures undertaken to strengthen 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 and enhance 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. The #𝗚𝗢𝗖 commended all ranks for their 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 and 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗳𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 to duty.
-𝗟𝗼𝗖 – 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 — 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲.
-In modern military operations, technology acts as the enabler of precision and speed, while tenacity (or human endurance and will) provides the resilience and adaptability necessary to overcome unforeseen challenges. The synergy between advanced systems and persistent human effort is critical for achieving strategic superiority in complex, multi-domain environments.
-Military technology comprises tools, systems, and, significantly, artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and data-driven software that revolutionize how battles are fought.
-Force Multipliers: Technologies such as autonomous drones, robots, and advanced surveillance (EO cameras/radars) reduce personal risk and expand operational reach.
-OODA Loop Speed: Modern Tech-driven Warfare aims to shorten the Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action (OODA) cycle, allowing forces to move faster than their adversaries.
-Multi-Domain Integration: Technology enables joint operations across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, creating highly networked battlefields.
-Situational Awareness: Systems like the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) use virtual and augmented reality to provide soldiers with real-time intelligence and enhanced, actionable data.
-Tenacity in Military Operations
Tenacity refers to the endurance, resilience, and unyielding will of personnel to continue operations under high-stress conditions, often despite technical failures or severe limitations.
-Human Factor: While technology is a dominant factor, it never completely replaces the human element; successful operations rely on personnel who can adapt and endure in high-intensity scenarios.
-Operational Endurance: In scenarios like high-altitude confrontations (as in India-China border scenarios), technology must be backed by the tenacity of soldiers to operate in harsh, long-duration conflicts.
-Resilience Against Disruption: Tenacity involves the ability of a unit to fight on when faced with communication blackouts or when advanced systems fail to operate.
-The Intersection: Technology & Tenacity
-Adaptive Competence: The highest effectiveness is found where technological innovation meets organizational adaptability (tenacity), allowing for quick adaptation in tech-driven, constantly evolving combat.
-Overcoming Constraints: Technology (e.g., advanced batteries, fuel) enables mobility, but tenacity allows troops to carry on in situations where logistical support is sparse or unreliable.
-Future Warfare: Modern warfare often occurs in a “gray zone” of neither war nor peace, requiring both technological superiority in cyber/AI and the persistent, tenacious effort of personnel on the ground.
-Ultimately, technology without tenacity can be brittle, while tenacity without technology is unsustainable in modern conflict. The two are interdependent force enablers.
-The 10th Infantry Division of the Indian Army, known as the “Crossed Swords Division,” is a premier formation under the XVI Corps (White Knight Corps) based in Jammu and Kashmir. Its insignia, featuring crossed swords on a black background, symbolizes the Roman numeral ‘X’ and the traditional, personal weaponry of the local Dogra community.
-Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow. Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what!…………….The officers and men of 10 Division Indian Army!
-Significance of Emblem: The crossed swords represent the warrior spirit of the area, specifically honoring the Dogra warriors who dominate the region, ensuring the division’s moniker, “Crossed Swords Division”.
-Operational Role: The division serves as a critical, forward-deployed force responsible for the security of parts of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
-Recent Activity: It frequently operates under the White Knight Corps, heavily involved in both operational duties and community outreach, such as organizing educational visits to the Akhnoor Heritage Museum and Fort to promote local heritage and history.
-Command: The division is commanded by a Major General, referred to as the GOC, Crossed Swords Division, who oversees operational readiness, including at locations like the Crossed Swords War Memorial.
-The 10 Infantry Division, known as the Dah or Crossed Swords Division, is a vital formation of the Indian Army based in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir,. Originally formed in 1941, it has a rich history, serving in WWII and key battles in 1965 and 1971, including the crucial Battle of Chumb. It has now been converted into a RAPID (Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division) for enhanced mechanized capabilities.
-Key Details of the 10 Infantry Division:
-Location: Based in Akhnoor, Jammu & Kashmir; responsible for sensitive operational areas.
-Nickname: “Dah” Division (meaning to burn or torment) or “Crossed Swords” Division.
-Structure: As a RAPID division, it is designed for speed and rapid offensive action, typically comprising infantry, tank regiments, and mechanized infantry.
-Major Operations: Played a key role in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War (Operation Grand Slam) and the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War (Battle of Chumb).
-Counter-Insurgency: Actively involved in maintaining stability in the Jammu region, including counter-insurgency ops in areas like Mahore.
-Note: The 10th Indian Division mentioned in history (1941-1947) was part of the British Indian Army and operated in North Africa and Italy. The modern 10th Infantry Division is a distinct entity within the independent Indian Army.
-Operational Area: The division is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the LoC in the forward areas of Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch districts.
-Active Defense: The 10 Div is actively involved in counter-insurgency operations, preventing infiltration attempts from across the border, and responding to ceasefire violations.
-History and Operations: It was re-raised in 1965 and has played a significant role in Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Parakram.
-Current Status: As of 2024–2025, the division maintains a high state of operational alertness along the LoC to foil infiltration attempts and maintain stability in the region.
-The division is often reinforced with armored assets (such as T-72 tanks) in specific terrain along the LoC to counter armored threats and target enemy infiltration routes.
Operation Grand Slam:
Operation Grand Slam was a key military operation of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It refers to a plan drawn up by the Pakistan Army in May 1965, that consisted of an attack on the vital Akhnoor Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The bridge was not only the lifeline of an entire infantry division of the Indian Army, but could also be used to threaten the city of Jammu, an important logistical point for Indian forces. The operation saw initial success, but was aborted when the Indian Army opened a new front in the Pakistani province of Punjab in order to relieve pressure in Kashmir. This forced Pakistan to abandon the Grand Slam and fight in Punjab, so that the operation ended in failure and stated objectives were not achieved.
-The 10 Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Jaswant Singh during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, was responsible for defending the critical Akhnoor-Chhamb-Jourian sector against Pakistani advances, successfully preventing the capture of the vital bridge. The division transitioned from an offensive, planned to reclaim the 1965 lost territory, to a tenacious defensive posture after the war began.
-Key Operations and Actions (10 Div – Akhnoor Sector 1971):
-Initial Plan: The 10 Division was preparing a major offensive to cross into Pakistan, with the 68 Infantry Brigade mobilized to the area in September 1971 for this purpose.
-The Switch to Defense: When Pakistan launched preemptive airstrikes on December 3, the 10th Division immediately shifted to defensive operations, focusing on the Chamb-Jaurian sector.
-The Battle of Chamb: 9 Jat (part of 68 Bde) and other units fought in the Battle of Chamb, holding ground along the eastern bank of the Manawar Tawi river and preventing a repeat of the 1965 “Operation Grand Slam” which targeted Akhnoor.
-Key Defensive Locations: 52 Brigade was positioned at Nawan Hamirpur, 28 Brigade on the Kalidhar range, and 68 Brigade on the Troti heights to stop the enemy advance toward the crucial Akhnoor bridge.
-Key Units: The sector was held together by the 10 Infantry Division, including 68 Infantry Brigade, 9 JAT, 9 Deccan Horse (armoured support), and the 191 Brigade.
-The 10 Division successfully prevented Pakistani forces from repeating their 1965 advances, making the Chamb-Akhnoor area a testament to India’s successful defensive operations in the west.
And thus we come to the final lines when you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on……….The officers and men of 10 Div know this! Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work… There are times in life when people must know when not to let go. Balloons are designed to teach small children this before they become boys and girls and later on men and women with awesome courage……..!
