Vir Chakra. 9 Madras was deployed under the 330 Infantry Brigade at Barmer. It captured Mahendro Ro Par and Fateh Ro Par on Gadra City-Umraokot axis and remained deployed at Naya Chor till the announcement of ceasefire on 17 December 1971. The battalion had ten casualties (2 killed and 8 wounded) and was awarded a Vir Chakra. 16 Madras under 54 Infantry Division played an important part in the Battle of Basantar. The battalion fought valiantly and had 5 officers and 27 JCOs and Other Ranks killed, and 1 officer and 103 JCOs and Other Ranks wounded. It was awarded the battle honour ‘Basantar’, two Maha Vir Chakras, five Vir Chakras, two Sena Medals and six mentioned in despatches. 17 Madras under 116 Infantry Brigade and was deployed in Muktsar area. It successfully captured enemy posts of ‘Kili Sahu’ and ‘Chukra’. During these actions, it was awarded one Vir Chakra, three Sena Medals and one mentioned in despatches. 18 Madras made the Indian Army’s deepest thrust in the western desert, as part of 31 Infantry Brigade of 11 Division. It saw extensive marches through trackless desert, periods without food and water and finally bitter fighting at Hingoro Tar, Sind. The battalion suffered 31 casualties: 1 officer, 1 JCO and 16 Other Ranks killed, and 3 officers, 2 JCOs and 8 Other Ranks wounded. It was awarded one Maha Vir Chakra, two Vir Chakras and four Sena Medals. 19 Madras was under 323 Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir. It was initially deployed to defend the Ramgarh Ditch, but was inducted into Chamb-Jaurian Sector by 11 December. It was then engaged in aggressive patrolling and was awarded one Sena Medal and one mentioned in despatches. 26 Madras was in the eastern front under 350 Infantry Brigade. It undertook aggressive patrolling towards Chuttipur, capturing it and then opening the main road axis Rangaon-Jessore. It then showed mettle in the Battle of Siramani, one of the fiercest battles of the war fought in the Khulna sector. The battalion lost 2 Officers, 2 JCOs and 12 Other Ranks killed, and 4 Officers, 2 JCOs and 56 Other Ranks wounded during the operations. It was awarded the battle honour ‘Siramani’, two Vir Chakras, one Sena Medal and one mentioned in despatches. 27 Madras, the freshly minted battalion saw action initially in Longewala and then in the Kutch sector. During a reconnaissance patrol, the commanding officer