Western Command celebrates 70th anniversary

The 70th raising day of the Western Command, the frontline operational command of the Indian Army which played an active role in the wars against Pakistan, was celebrated at its headquarters at Chandimandir in Punjab's Panchkula district today.
Lt Gen Surinder Singh, general officer commanding-in- chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command, laid a wreath at the 'Veer Smriti' to pay homage to the martyrs on the occasion, a defence spokesperson said.
The unit was raised in September, 1947, as Delhi and East Punjab Command and re-designated as Western Command in January, 1948.
"Western Command has a glorious history of having participated in all the major conflicts, both on our Western and Northern frontiers, and carved a niche for itself replete with saga of bravery, grit and determination," the spokesperson said.

He also highlighted the instrumental role the command played in blunting the Pakistani aggression in 1947, 1965 and 1971.
On October 26, 1947, after Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, Western Command was put in charge of all Indian Army operations to seize the area for India.
Western Command, has also time and again, provided succour to the civilian population, he said.
"Be it during natural calamities, undertaking counter- terrorist operations or participating in nation-building activities, troops of the Western Command have always been in the fore-front in providing aid to civil authorities," the spokesperson added.