Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 15: Western Command of the Indian Army celebrated its 69th Raising Day at its various units located across the parts Jammu, Himachal, Punjab and parts of Rajasthan.
On this occasion, Lt Gen IS Ghuman, Chief of Staff, Western Command laid a wreath at the `Veer Smriti’, Chandimandir (Chandigagrh) to pay homage to the martyrs. The Command raised in 1947 as Delhi and East Punjab Command with Headquarters at Delhi was re-designated ‘Western Command’ in January 1948. The genesis of Western Command was forged on the anvil of one of the most challenging trans- border migration of human population.
In 1954 the Headquarters of the Command moved to Shimla. After the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, Northern Command, with its Headquarters at Udhampur, was carved out of Western Command to assume operational responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir. Later, Western Command moved to its present location at Chandimandir in 1985.
Ever since its raising, the Command which has the glorious history of having participated in all the major conflict, both on our Western and Northern frontiers, has carved a niche for itself – replete with saga of bravery, grit and determination. All ranks of the Command have acquitted themselves well in the past and continue to do so in present challenging times. A high standard of professionalism and dedication has been the hallmark of the Command. With “Ever Westwards” being its clarion call, the Western Army was instrumental in blunting the Pakistan aggression in 1947, 1965 and 1971, and subsequently carrying the battle into enemy territory. Its formations and units have participated and distinguished themselves, winning a large number of gallantry awards including eleven Param Vir Chakras.
The Command has time and again, provided succour to the civilian population. Be it be during natural calamities, undertaking counter terrorist operations or participating in Nation building activities, troops of the Command have always been in the fore front in providing aid to civil authorities.
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