Western Command Diamond Jubliee Celebrations begin tomorrow

Chandigarh, Sep 11 (UNI) The Western Command Diamond Jubilee celebrations will begin at the Chandimandir Military Station tomorrow with the holding of a Diamond Jubilee Military Tattoo Show.

Aimed at displaying the talent, courage, skill and professionalism of the participants, the military tattoo will include a motorcycle display by the 'Dare Devils' of the Corps of Signals, a martial arts display and a free fall demo by the Para battalion of the Indian army. A dog show by the dog teams of Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) will also be organised.

A Khukhri Hath by a Gurkha battalion and a band display followed by beating retreat by 'Pipers and Drummers' of nine different battalions of Western Command also forms a part of the celebrations on the opening day. The celebrations would go on till September 15.

Raised on Sept 15, 1947, the Western Command was popularly known as the Delhi and East Punjab Area (DEP) Command. Lt Gen Dudley Russel was the first Army Commander of the Command. The DEP Command was redesignated as the 'Western Command' on Jan 18, 1948. In 1954 the Headquarters moved to Shimla from Delhi and in February 1985 it moved to its present location, Chandimandir under the Command of Lt Gen K Sunderji.

Western Command has actively participated in all the wars since Independence. It was instrumental in effectively blunting the Pakistani aggressions in 1947, 1965 and 1971.

During the period of militancy in Punjab, Western Command rendered yeoman's service in combating terrorism and restoring normalcy under 'Operation Rakshak' launched for this purpose.

UNI