List of military operations involving Gurkhas

This is a list of operations carried out by the Brigade of Gurkhas (United Kingdom), Gurkha Contingent (Singapore), Gorkha regiments (India), and other Gurkha armies but not by the Nepal Army.

Asia

Men of the 2/9th Gurkha Rifles being instructed in the use of camouflage in the Malayan jungle, October 1941.

First Anglo-Sikh War (India, 1846)

Main article: First Anglo-Sikh War

After the Anglo-Gorkha war, a conflict arose between the British and Punjab. Both wanted to avoid conflict. However, after the death of Ranjit Singh, the ruler of Punjab, the Sikh army fought wars against the British. In 1845 the Sikhs invaded the British territory at Satluj.

In December 1846, an inconclusive battle was fought at Ferozeshah, and in January 1846, the Sikhs attempted to cut the British lines of communication. To counter, the combined force of British, Indians, and Gurkhas was sent to intercept the Sikhs. The Sikhs were forced to retreat. The next month, a final battle was fought at Sobraon. Gurkha reinforcements from the Sirmoor and Nasiri Battalions took part in the battle. The Sikh army surrendered and peace agreement was reached in early March 1846.

Siege of Delhi (India, 1857)

Siege of Delhi took place in June–September 1857. The troops from the British East India Company who had grievances against the British officers came to Delhi. To suppress the revolt, the antecedents of the modern Brigade of Gurkhas were called. After Delhi was recaptured, Queen's Truncheon was awarded to the battalion. Forces of the Nepalese Army also fought during the aggression that was sent by Jang Bahadur Rana to assist the British.

Second Anglo-Afghan War (Afghanistan, 1878-1880)

Main article: Second Anglo-Afghan War

The battalion of 2nd Gurkha Rifles fought in the northern village against the Afghans. After the war, Afghanistan came firmly under British influence.

Boxer rebellion (China, 1900)

The Gurkhas fought against Chinese forces in the Boxer Rebellion to suppress the uprising against foreign influence in China.

Third Anglo-Afghan War (Afghanistan, 1919)

Main article: Third Anglo-Afghan War

British Indian government declared war upon Afghanistan on 6 May 1919. Gurkhas and Sikhs were sent to Landi Kotal for reinforcement.

Anglo-Iraqi War (Iraq, 1941)

Main article: Anglo-Iraqi War

On 18 April 1941, the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade landed at Basra with the 2nd battalion 8th Gurkha Rifles, 2nd battalion 7th Gurkha Rifles, and the 3rd battalion 11th Sikh Regiment. They fought at various cities in Iraq.

Battle of Jitra (Malaysia, 1941)

Main article: Battle of Jitra

In 1941 Gurkha army was involved in a battle against the Japanese in Malaysia. The battle was lost, and all armies were transferred to Singapore.

Battle of Wadi Akarit (Tunisia, 1943)

The Battle of Wadi Akarit took place on April 5 and 6, 1943 at Wadi Akarit in Tunisia. The purpose of the battle was to assist the Allied forces. Gurkha army took part in the battle under the 4th Indian Division. Lalbahadur Thapa was awarded a VC in the battle for making a night assault at the Fatnassa Heights.

Battle of Imphal (India, 1944)

Battle of Imphal was fought in Northern India in the region around the city of Imphal, the capital of the state of Manipur. The battle occurred from 12 March to 21 June 1944 between the British force and Japanese forces. Three battalions of the 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles were involved in the battle. 184 were dead and 820 were wounded. The honour of Imphal was awarded to the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the antecedent regiment, after the battle.

Brunei revolt (Brunei, 1962-1966)

The first battalion of 2nd KEO Gurkha Rifles was the first armed force used against the Brunei Revolt in December 1962. The troop was sent to Brunei in December via airdropping. The Gurkhas fought against the Indonesian Regular Army in Sabah and Sarawak. The operation took four years in total. The campaign ended in 1966. In November 1965 that Rambahadur Limbu got Victoria Cross in the battle for attempting to rescue two wounded comrades.

Battle of Sylhet (East Pakistan, 1971)

In 1971, 4/5 Gorkha Rifles from the Indian army took part in the Battle of Sylhet in East Pakistan (currently Bangladesh) against the Pakistani brigades. The operation lead to the surrender of the Pakistani brigades on 16 December 1971.

Sri Lanka peacekeeping operation (Sri Lanka, 1987-1990)

On 1 October 1987, the 4/5 Gorkha Rifles from Indian Army were deployed as peacekeepers to Sri Lanka. However, there they had to fight against the rebels. The Gurkha army first rescued the 13 Sikh Light Infantry and a team of 10 Para-commando. After the rescue operation, LTTE attacked the Gurkha army and the long battle started. The operation continued up to 1990. During the period, the Indian army supplied arms to local Tamils to fight against LTTE and a portion of the Gurkha army was appointed to train them. Due to substantial damage, the Indian army had to retreat from the operation bringing back the Gurkha army from Sri Lanka. Prem Thapa was awarded Param Vir Chakra for leading the troop after the death of his superiors in one of the battle.

South America

Falklands War (Argentina, 1982)

The Falklands War was fought in Argentina in 1982. On 2 April 1982, Argentinian troops invaded the Falkland Islands which was controlled by the British Government. In response, a naval task force sailed to the island. In the battle, Gurkhas were assigned to take Mount William. The Argentine artillery aggression caused several injuries among the Gurkhas. All Argentine forces on the Falklands surrendered at the end of the war.

Africa

North Africa (Arabia, 1943)

Gurkha forces fought in Arabia in North Africa attacking Turkish soldiers. Gurkhas were sent to hold the critical port of Tubrik when it fell; they became German prisoners where they faced loss. The remaining soldiers were sent to the mountain area to hold off the Germans. After the battle, Rommel's Africa Corps surrendered.

Europe

Italy campaign (Italy, 1944)

The Gurkha forces were sent to Italy in May 1943, to prevent the Germans from advancing. Italy surrendered when the Allied troops invaded, but the German soldiers remained in the mountains of Italy. The Gurkhas reached Italy on 11 February 1944 as a part of the 4th Indian Division. They started an offensive on February 16 and 17. Both attacks were a failure, causing 20% casualties. On May 14 the Polish Division finally took the position. During the period, the Gurkhas managed to take several mountains while losing 4,000 men.

Kosovo operation (Kosovo, 1999)

Main article: Kosovo_War § UN,_NATO,_and_OSCE_(1998–1999)

The British Gurkhas disarmed 70 fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army in a raid led by NATO. The Gurkha troops counterattacked after fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army started shooting at them in the Kacanik area. After the operation, the Kosovar fighters surrendered with their weapons.