Indian Army's Artillery Regiment today celebrated its 186th raising day in Udhampur, 66km from here.
Also known as 'Gunners Day', the occasion is observed on September 28 to mark the raising of the first Indian Artillery unit - 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery - in 1827, a defence spokesman said.
On the occasion, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, praised the professional standards and ethos of the Gunners and called upon the artillery units deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to strive for even higher standards while continuing to contribute towards peace and stability in the region.
The Artillery Regiment has been part of all the wars that India has fought since Independence and the Gunners have proved their mettle by their professional acumen and dedication, the spokesman added.
The success of the Indian Army in the Kargil conflict in 1999 demonstrated the firepower of the artillery, he said.
The Gunners continue to perform their duties in the Northern theatre with utmost dedication in hostile and inhospitable conditions, he said, adding that they were also actively involved in counter-insurgency operations in J-K.
Artillery units and formations have also contributed to a number of "Operation Sadbhavana" projects to help build the socio-economic life of people in Kashmir.
On the occasion, Maj. Gen. Harpal Singh, Maj. Gen. Artillery, Northern Command, laid a wreath at the Dhruva War memorial and addressed a Sainik Sammelan of all ranks of the Regiment of Artillery.
He called upon all Gunners to rededicate themselves to the ethos and spirit enshrined in the motto of the Regiment of Artillery - 'Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal' (Everywhere with honour and glory).
