[1][3] At the time of its raising, 8 Pack Artillery Brigade was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Alan Gordon Haig CMG, DSO.

During this time, the unit consisted of[6][7] - These mountain batteries continued to be in operation in the North Western part of India and Afghanistan between 1920 and 1935.

22nd Mountain Brigade was part of the Mohmand campaign of 1935 and was involved in the advance to Ghalanai in August 1935 and to Nahakki in September 1935.

[8] In late 1935, 22nd Mountain Brigade was located at Wana, Waziristan and the class composition was of Punjabi Muslims and Jat Sikhs.

It consisted of – Between 1935 and 1939, there was relative peace in the North West Frontier, though the unit was involved in many operations in Waziristan.

The first Indian Artillery unit to see action in the war against the Japanese was 22 Mountain Regiment, which had sailed from India for Malaya in August 1939.

[14][15][16][17] The 4th, 7th and 10th batteries were affiliated to the 2 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5/2 Punjab and 4/19 Hyderabad Regiments respectively for jungle training in Johore.

It moved to Gambang on the night of 22 December 1941 and joined 2/12 Frontier Force Regiment, where it faced a heavy enemy attack.

4th Battery was on the border astride Alor Star-Singora road with 1/14 Punjab Regiment under 15 Indian Infantry Brigade.

The right section withdrew in the dark to Tanjong Pau, but were back in action the next morning supporting 2/9 Jat on the right of the Jitra line.

The line was penetrated on 13 January and the battery fell back to join the regimental headquarters at Gurun.

On 10 December, the battery attacked targets near Kodiang road, following which the airfield at Alor Star was evacuated.

This was followed by a period of unverified reports of enemy advances, which lead to a hasty withdrawal on foot with loss of guns.

Major Scott of 7th battery was killed by enemy machine gun fire during this operation on 7 January.

On 16 February, the regiment handed over the arms and ammunition to the Japanese and marched to Farrer Park into captivity.

In the Kaladan Valley, in Burma, on 15th/16th December, 1944, Havildar Umrao Singh was in charge of one gun in an advanced section of his battery when it was subjected to heavy fire from 75 mm.

Third and fourth attacks were also beaten off in the same manner by the resolute action and great courage of Havildar Umrao Singh.

Six hours later, when a counter-attack restored the position, he was found in an exhausted state beside his gun and almost unrecognisable with seven severe wounds, and ten dead Japanese round him.

By his personal example and magnificent bravery Havildar Umrao Singh set a supreme example of gallantry and devotion to duty.

[1] At the time of independence, the Indian Army had twenty five mountain batteries, of which eight went to the newly created state of Pakistan.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) landed a section of 4 (Hazara) Mountain Battery in Poonch on 13 December, equipped with 3.7 inch howitzers.

In June 1948, 5 Battery saw action during the link up to Poonch and then the capture of Bhimber Gali in support of 5 Brigade.

In 1952, an army order designated 22 Mountain Regiment with its four batteries as Corps d'elite and making them entitled to wear a new lanyard with colours of the artillery (red and blue).

Though initially meant only for the officers of 22 Mountain Regiment, it was subsequently allowed for and adopted by all gunners of the Indian Army.

It was part of 4 Artillery Brigade and saw action in the eastern sector of war – in North-East Frontier Agency .

7 (Bengal) Mountain Battery, deployed at Mi La withdrew on the evening of 23 October bringing back all their guns on animals.

One section of 2 (Derajat) Mountain Battery took part in the battle of Bomdila and also fought in hand-to-hand combat against the Chinese.

The division was part of 2 Corps and saw operations in the South Western sector in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

[46] Interestingly, when Major General MH Ansari, GOC of the Pakistani 9 Infantry Division, who was an ex-officer of Indian 22 Mountain Regiment, surrendered with three thousand troops to Major General Mohinder Singh Barar, the GOC of 4 Mountain Division on 16 December 1971, he was apprised that his own regiment was part of the forces fighting him.

[47] The Sena Medal was awarded to Second Lieutenant Govind Raya Gaonkar and Gunner (TA) Hari Charan Singh Yadav.