Chandimandir
Lt Gen H S Sahi, Chief of Staff of Western Command, presented the Western Command Territorial Army (TA) banner 2025-26 rolling trophy to 105 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Rajputana Rifles in a function held at Chandi Mandir cantonment recently. The award recognises the battalion’s exemplary performance, operational readiness, and steadfast professionalism, reflecting the highest standards of service in the Territorial Army and the broader Indian Army.
Keywords: 105 Inf Bn TA Raj Rif, Western Command TA Banner 2025, Territorial Army India achievements, Lt Gen H S Sahi Western Command, Indian Army Territorial Army role, Rajputana Rifles TA battalion
The Territorial Army, often described as the nation’s ‘Second line of Defence,’ comprises part-time citizen-soldiers who balance civilian careers with military commitments. Established under the Territorial Army Act of 1948, the TA relieves regular forces from static duties, assists civil authorities during natural calamities and internal security situations, and augments the Army during emergencies. With strength of around 40,000 personnel across infantry, ecological, and departmental units, TA volunteers undergo rigorous annual training and embody the ethos of ‘Part-time commitment, full-time honour.’ Since independence, TA units have participated in every major conflict, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Kargil conflict, and various counter-insurgency operations like Operation Rakshak and Operation Rhino. Ecological TA battalions have additionally planted millions of saplings and restored vast degraded lands.
Raised as part of the TA’s infantry battalions affiliated with distinguished regiments, 105 Inf Bn (TA) Raj Rif, based in Delhi Cantonment, has consistently demonstrated excellence. The unit has earned recognition in previous years, including the Best Infantry Battalion Trophy, for its operational efficiency, training standards, and contributions to Western Command’s readiness. Its personnel, drawn from diverse civilian backgrounds, bring unique skills that enhance the Army’s overall resilience while maintaining combat effectiveness through annual embodied service and voluntary commitments.
Lt Gen Sahi, a seasoned leader commissioned into the Rajput Regiment with an illustrious career spanning command and staff appointments, commended the battalion for upholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army. “This honour is a testament to the dedication of TA soldiers who seamlessly integrate civilian expertise with military discipline,” he noted during the ceremony.
In an era of hybrid threats and increasing demands on defence resources, the TA’s role remains vital for augmenting conventional forces and supporting nation-building efforts. The recognition of 105 Inf Bn (TA) Raj Rif underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to nurturing a robust reserve force capable of meeting contemporary security challenges with professionalism and agility.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
