Golden jubilee of Sher-e-Punjab Bomb Disposal Unit

Chandigarh, June 1 (UNI) The golden jubilee celebrations of the Sher-e-Punjab Bomb Disposal Unit commenced in the Western sector today.

The celebrations began with a prayer, which was followed by a special Sainik Sammelan addressed by Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, GOC, Corps and Colonel Commandant, the Bombay Sappers, a Defence spokesman here said.

This was followed a commemorative group photograph.

Colonel S K Sharma, Officer Commanding during the 1971 operations and several ex-officers of the unit and the Sappers also participated in the festivities.

Mrs Rajeshwari Rane, wife of Major R R Rane, who had raised the unit as its first Officer Commanding also particpated in the celebrations.

The three-day celebrations would comprise a demonstration and equipment display followed by a basketball match between Bombay Sapper Officers and Unit's JCOs and a blood donation camp.

A Barakhana and Pagal Gymkhana programme are also planned towards the culmination of the golden jubilee festivities.

The Sher-E-Punjab Bomb Disposal Family was raised at Khadki, Pune on June 1,1957. It has the honour of being the Second Oldest Bomb Disposal Company of Indian Army.

While at Pune, the unit was involved in a wide range of tasks ranging from disposal of UXBs (Unexploded Bombs) in operations to provision of aid to civil authorities in peace. Noteworthy operational achievements during this short period at Pune were active commitment in 1961 Goa Operations.

The unit was relocated to Chandigarh in September 1965. The unit has earned glory among the bomb disposal fraternity during 1971 operations and its aftermath by its commendable professional conduct for disposal of over 100 UXBs in the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ferozepur in Punjab.

The unit's glorious past includes participation in Operation Rakshak, Operation Rhino, Operation Rakshak (Jammu and Kashmir) and Operation Parakram.

In addition to its primary role, the unit is also responsible for training of army, police, paramilitary and civil defence personnel in explosive disposal techniques.

UNI