India, Jan. 22 -- In a rare and urgent outreach, the Indian Army has appealed to the youth of Punjab to reclaim their traditional role in the Sikh Regiment.

The appeal follows growing internal concerns over a persistent decline in recruitment from the border state, which has led to noticeable manpower shortages within several of the regiment's battalions.

In an official statement issued by a defence spokesperson on Tuesday, the army described the Sikh Regiment as one of its "most distinguished and elite" units, asserting that its "true strength" has always been rooted in the youngsters of Punjab. The message emphasised that serving in the regiment is a matter of "great honour and privilege" and urged the state's youth to carry forward a...