India marks 60th Army Day

The Indian Army on Tuesday commemorated its 60th Foundation Day by paying homage to martyred soldiers.

New Delhi, Jan 15 : The Indian Army on Tuesday commemorated its 60th Foundation Day by paying homage to martyred soldiers.

Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Fali Homi Major, offered floral tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate memorial here.

In his address after inspecting the annual Army day parade, General Kapoor said: "Our forces have fought courageously against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, and crushed the scourge of militancy. In decreasing the threat of terrorism, the forces have done work that is distinctly appreciable. Their unparalleled contribution is surely admirable."

Five gallantry awards, all Sena Medals, were presented posthumously.

The Army Day parade comprised of marching contingents from eight infantry regiments and one Territorial Army (TA) battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

The highlights of the parade, included mechanised columns of T-90 tanks, BLT T-72, 155 MM Soltum Gun, Brahmos Missile and carrier Mortar Tracked Vehicle.

For the first time, a mock exercise was staged at the Army Day parade. Combat vehicles of the infantry, artillery guns, tanks and infantry troops from the 20th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment demonstrated combat techniques on the battlefield.

Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) of Army Aviation Corps also participated in the mock combat operations.

Personnel of a cavalry unit astride horses demonstrated tent pegging. Other interesting events included acrobatic skills on motorcycles by the personnel of Corps of Military Police.

The massed bands of the Indian Army provided a colourfull backdrop to the parade, which was attended by senior officers and military attaches of several foreign countries, besides the chiefs of the three armed forces.

In the afternoon, the Army Chief held a reception at his residence, which was attended by President Pratibha Patil, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister AK Antony, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, besides many serving and retired Service Officers.

Army Day is observed every year on January 15 to commemorate Field Marshal KM Cariappa's taking over as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from General Roy Butcher, the last British Commander-in Chief , in 1949.

ANI