New Delhi, 12th February 2026: A remarkable new book, Grit, Blood and Glory – The Untold Story of Jangi Six | 6th Battalion, The Kumaon Regiment, brings to life the stirring eighty-five year journey of one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished battalions. Launched at the Kumaon Regiment, Shankar Vihar, New Delhi, the book is authored by Lt Col Prem Andrews. It offers a deeply researched and evocative account of 6 Kumaon. The chronicle traces the battalion’s evolution from its raising in 1941 to its present deployment on the very ground sanctified by its most legendary stand.
The book launch was attended by distinguished veterans of the Indian Army, including Lt Gen Om Prakash, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM; Lt Gen NC Marwah, PVSM, AVSM; and Lt Gen Satvir Yadav, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, highlighting the event’s prestige. A large number of serving generals including Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, SYSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM and retired officers of Jangi Six were present to celebrate the battalion’s enduring legacy.
Raised on 1 February 1941 at Agra as 6/ XIX Hyderabad Regiment, the battalion quickly proved its mettle on the North West Frontier. It later served with distinction in Burma as part of the fabled Lushai Brigade during the Second World War. In the years following Independence, the battalion earned further acclaim in Operation Polo in Hyderabad and during Operation Balu, the demanding snow clearance operations along the Sonamarg to Baltal axis in 1957. These early campaigns forged a reputation for courage, endurance, and operational excellence that would define the battalion for decades to come.
A core part of the book examines the battalion’s stand at Walong during the 1962 Sino Indian conflict, an episode that remains central to its identity. Facing overwhelming odds along the Mc Mahon Line, 6 Kumaon mounted sustained resistance across Ashi Hill, Namti Nalla, Green Pimple, Yellow Pimple, Trijunction, and West Ridge. The carefully executed screen action at Namti Nalla disrupted Phase Two of the Chinese offensive for eighteen to twenty one critical days, influencing the operational timeline. Capt Ravi Mathur’s Marauders came close to securing Green Pimple in a bold assault, while the attack on Yellow Pimple saw fewer than half the attackers return. The final stand at West Ridge reflected the battalion’s creed of Last Man Last Round.
For its gallantry in these operations, the battalion was awarded five Vir Chakras along with multiple Mentions in Despatches. Yet, as the book poignantly records, many who made unparalleled sacrifices did not find space in headlines. Their stories, long overshadowed, form what the author calls the Unsung Saga of the Jangi Six. Through detailed research and vivid narrative, Lt Col Andrews seeks to restore these forgotten acts of valour and ensure that their grit, blood, and glory receive the recognition long overdue.
Unveiling the book Lt Col Prem Andrews said, “This chronicle sets out to correct silence, not merely record events. It draws on archival evidence and lived accounts to confront moments that tested resolve at the highest level and demanded decisions measured in lives. The intent is to honour those who stood firm when outcomes were uncertain and recognition was scarce. Their courage shaped regimental character, and their story deserved to be told with clarity and conviction.”
The chronicle continues through subsequent chapters of service that reflect both battlefield prowess and professional excellence. It documents the battalion’s role in the Ichogil Canal battles of 1965 and its sweeping successes during the 1971 war under Operation Cactus Lily. The narrative also covers decisive counter insurgency operations in Nagaland and Assam, along with prestigious deployments to Siachen, Operation Parakram, and Amarnath Yatra security duties. Beyond combat, the battalion’s selection for joint exercises with the United States Army and its distinguished performance at the Army War College in Mhow underscore its enduring standards of training and leadership.
More than a regimental history, Grit, Blood and Glory is a tribute to sacrifice and an affirmation of ethos. The battalion’s foundational motto, Valour Triumphs, runs as a steady thread through every chapter, reflecting a legacy shaped by resilience against heavy odds and unwavering fidelity to duty. The book weaves operational detail with human stories, offering readers an intimate understanding of the men behind the medals and the spirit that sustained them through adversity.
The launch of this chronicle marks an important moment in preserving and sharing the heritage of 6 Kumaon. It stands as both documentation and homage, honouring those who fought beyond recognition and beyond the call of duty. In recounting their journey from Agra in 1941 to present day deployments, the book affirms the indomitable legacy of Jangi Six and ensures that its story will continue to inspire future generations.
