Assam Rifles is the only para-military force to have taken part in both the World Wars and all operations in Independent India. Besides ensuring a favorable security situation in the North-East, the force is also the fountain-head of many a developmental activities in the rural, far-flung and backward regions of the North east. Since is humble birth in 1835 as a civil protection force, known as the ‘Cachar Levy’ during the British Colonial rule, the Assam Rifles has metamorphosed into a tough paramilitary force, providing peace and political stability in the insurgency-ravaged region as well as safeguarding tenuous frontiers.

The Assam Rifles has donned various roles in its glorious past, even as its main task is to maintain peace and internal security. During the two World Wars, the force exhibited exemplary military prowess, courage and agility while performing assigned tasks with the Gorkha Battalion, including assisting in evacuation of the fleeing British and Indian refugees from Burma at the advance of the Japanese Army and engaging them in special operations during the Burma campaign.

After independence, the Assam Rifles assumed its new role as the vanguard for internal security, helping set up administration in remote frontiers. At the same time, the force was deployed to contain the spreading separatist violence in the region, a task which still continues. It faced the real test in the wake of the Chinese aggression in 1962, when the Force was at the forefront of receiving the full brunt of the attack.

In recognition to its military and jungle warfare skills and experience in containing military in the region, the Assam Rifles was sent to Sri Lanka on the Indian peace keeping mission. It was also involved in counter- insurgency operation in J&K.

Over the years, the Force’s strength has swelled and so has its importance as a stabilizing authority in the Northeast. Beside its operational roles, the Assam Rifles has played a very crucial role in promoting ethnic peace and harmony in the diverse multi-ethnic region, as well as socio- economic development of the region. In the process, it has also adapted itself to local culture and environment so that it can gain local support and co-operation. It has always endeavored to become truly a “Friend of the Hill People”, offering various opportunities to the local youth for jobs, social welfare, sports and adventure. In times of natural calamity, the Assam Rifles was called to provide succor to the affected people.

“It is absolutely geared up to meet any future challenges and capable of delivering and multitasking anytime, anywhere”, asserts Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy. He believes that in the near future, as India opens up the region to neighborhood in pursuits of its “ Look East policy,” the Assam Rifles will have multi-dimensional roles to play - defending its frontiers and safeguarding internal security of the region.