Army raises 16th Bhairav Battalion at Karnataka's Belagavi, focus on ops in difficult terrain

BENGALURU: Indian Army has raised 16th Bhairav Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (Maratha LI) at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC) in Belagavi, Karnataka, adding a new specialised infantry unit focused on mobility and operations in difficult terrain.

According to a defence ministry statement, the battalion has been designed for "high-mobility missions, adaptive manoeuvres and precise strikes", particularly in mountainous terrain and in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environments.



The raising ceremony was held at the regimental centre, where Commandant Brig Joydip Mukherjee presented the battalion flag to the Officer Commanding Bhairav Battalion, on Saturday.

The ministry said the battalion draws from the traditions of Maratha Light Infantry and has been raised to strengthen operational preparedness amid evolving security challenges. It added the unit comprises specially selected personnel trained for demanding missions.

The statement described the battalion as reflecting the Army's effort to sharpen its operational edge, while underlining the continuing relevance of light infantry units in modern conflict scenarios.

"The occasion highlighted the vital role of such light units in tackling modern threats," the statement said, adding the raising reaffirmed the Army's focus on "building capabilities and unyielding readiness".

Maratha Light Infantry is among Indian Army's oldest infantry regiments, with a long operational history. The raising of the 16th battalion comes as the Army continues efforts to strengthen force structure and readiness for varied operational requirements.