Ladakh Scouts - 34th Anniversary

The Ladakh Scouts, also known as the Snow Warriors or Snow Tigers, is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army.Specializing in mountain warfare, the regiment's primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitude areas of the Ladakh region, as well as Jammu & Kashmir in general.

Raised by Colonel S.P. Salunke, the Ladakh Scouts were converted into an Army regiment in 2000. The Ladakh Scouts are recruited mainly from India's Ladakhi and Tibetan communities and are among the Indian Army's most decorated units. Its soldiers have been honored with over 300 gallantry awards and citations including one Ashok Chakra, ten Maha Vir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.

In 1948, the Nubra Guards were raised from local Ladakhi warriors to patrol India's mountainous border in the Ladakh region. In 1952, the Nubra Guards were merged as the 7th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Militia, which later became the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regiment. The 14th Battalion of the militia was also raised from Ladakh in 1959.

On 1 June 1963, following the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Ladakh Scouts was formed by spinning off the 7th and 14th battalions of the J&K Militia. The primary role of the unit is reconnaissance and interdiction in the high-altitude border regions.

After 1999 Kargil war the Ladakh Scouts was reformed as a standard infantry regiment on 1 June 2000. Its parent regiment is the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles.

This cover and the special postmark on it depicting an ibex was issued to commemorate the 34^th Raising Day of the Ladakh Scouts and the Granting to them of Battle Honours of Chalunka and Turtak.