Excelsior Correspondent
Udhampur, Sept 28: Regiment of Artillery celebrated its 187th Raising Day today. The Raising Day, which is also known as the ‘Gunners Day’, is observed on September 28 to mark the raising of the first Indian Artillery unit, 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, on this momentous day in the year 1827.
On this occasion GOC-in-C, (Army Commander) Indian Army’s Northern Command Lt Gen DS Hooda, praised the professional standards and ethos of the Gunners and called upon the Artillery units deployed in J&K to reach even higher standards of excellence and continue to contribute towards peace and stability in the region.
Ever since the concept of causing destruction to the enemy’s war machine from a standoff distance evolved in warfare, Artillery has been a major battle winning arm and its importance continues in the modern day battlefield. The Regiment of Artillery has been part of all the wars that India has fought since its independence and the Gunners have proved their mettle by their professional acumen and dedication.
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 Gunners have always been renowned for their professional excellence and exacting standards, and continue to perform their duties in the Northern theatre 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.
On the occasion of ‘Gunners Day’, Major General SK Singh,Major General Artillery, Northern Army 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’.