Pune: In a fitting tribute to India’s rich military history, the Indian Army has released a 106mm Recoilless (RCL) Gun for permanent display in Apshinge, Satara district, about 130km from the city.The gun was installed in the village in a ceremony attended by serving and retired armed forces personnel on Monday.Apshinge, also known as the ‘village of soldiers’, has a rich legacy of sending at least one member from every family to serve in the armed forces. The installation of the iconic RCL Gun adds yet another chapter to its valour and patriotism.“The gun is placed alongside the T-55 tank already displayed in the village. The newly installed RCL Gun will serve as a powerful source of motivation for the youth of Apshinge and the surrounding regions to join the armed forces. The initiative not only honours India’s military heritage, but also strengthens the enduring bond between Apshinge and the Indian Army,” Brigadier Mohan Nikam (Retd), who pursued the case with the Army, told TOI.The 106mm RCL Gun, a heavy, crew-served anti-tank weapon designed in the United States, was inducted into the Indian Army in the early 1960s. It played a crucial role in India’s major military operations, including the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, and various missions along the Line of Control. The weapon gained legendary status during the 1965 war when Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers destroyed seven Pakistani Patton tanks using the RCL Gun in the Battle of Asal Uttar. His unmatched bravery earned him the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India’s highest wartime gallantry award.The gun was also extensively used by the 2 Mahar battalion during the famous Battle of Khemkaran, which turned into one of the largest tank battles in history. The RCL Gun, phased out from active service in the early 2000s with the advent of modern anti-tank systems, remains an enduring symbol of India’s tactical strength and soldierly spirit.Lt Col Satish Hange, the Satara district sainik welfare officer, told TOI, “The village is a perfect combination of armed forces spirit. It has a tank, an aircraft, and the Navy will soon offer its ship. It’s a rare thing to have these military systems in the village in the country. Such things are needed to inspire the next generation to pursue a career in the military.”
