Jammu: With the Army's Regiment of Artillery celebrating its 188 Raising Day on Monday, the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Udhampur based Northern Command called upon the Gunners to contribute towards peace and stability in the region.
"GOC in C Lt Gen D S Hooda praised the professional standards and ethos of the Gunners and called upon the Artillery units deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to reach even higher standards of excellence and continue to contribute towards peace and stability in the region," an army spokesman said
The 'Raising Day' which is also known as the 'Gunners Day' is observed to mark the raising of the first Indian Artillery unit, 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, on this day in the 1827.
"Ever since the concept of causing destruction to the enemy's war machine from a stand-off distance evolved in warfare, Artillery has been a major battle winning arm and its importance continues in the modern day battlefield," he said.
He said the regiment has been part of all the wars that India has fought since its Independence and the Gunners have proved their mettle with their professional acumen.
"The victory of the Indian Army over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict in 1999 demonstrated the fire power of the artillery, which pounded and systematically destroyed the enemy's will to fight, and proved to be the major battle winning factor," the spokesman said.
He said the Gunners are known for their professional excellence and exacting standards and continue to perform their duties with utmost dedication, in difficult, hostile and inhospitable terrain conditions.
"The Gunners are also actively undertaking counter- insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and have made an immense contribution in ensuring peace in the region," he said.
The Gunner of today, while meeting operational challenges, is exploring a vast and technologically superior inventory of the artillery weapon systems comprising long range guns, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and sophisticated surveillance and locating devices and radars.
"On the occasion of 'Gunners Day', Major General V K Yadav, Major General Operations and Logistic Northern Command called upon all Gunners to rededicate themselves to uphold the ethos and spirit enshrined in the motto of the Regiment of Artillery 'Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal', 'Everywhere with honour and glory'", the spokesman said.
