The 17 Mech is a crack unit and has been in action in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peacekeeping Force. It is also often called in for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Even though the terrain was not conducive, the 17 Mechanised Infantry did a good job in Sri Lanka," said Lt Gen. (Retd.) Deepinder Singh, a veteran of the IPKF operations.

Elaborating on the crucial role played by the mechanised infantry battalions, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rajendra Nath said they were raised with the aim of providing frontal and flank support to tanks and fast mobility to infantrymen. The 17 Mech is an anti-tank battalion. The Commandant, Col. R.K. Sharma, while addressing the men of 17 Mech at a sainik sammelan, said they should not feel complacent of past glories but strive towards greater heights, said the sources. The Commandant also said that the unit was also ready for any eventuality.

Raised 18 years ago, the 17 Mech provides, a recce and support batallion, "continuous surveillance on the international borders, identify enemy tank thrusts and destroy them by manoeuvre and firepower. This is probably why the enemy refers to this unit as Hell on Tracks.