Army's Northern Command celebrates 43rd Raising Day

Jammu, June 17 (IANS) The Indian Army's Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday celebrated its 43rd Raising Day.

At a ceremony held at the Dhruva War Memorial, Lt.Gen. D.S. Hooda, commander of the Northern Command, laid a wreath as a mark of respect to martyred soldiers, according to a defence statement issued here.

The Northern Command - also known as the Dhruva Command - was raised June 17, 1972, after the 1971 India-Pakistan war and has the responsibility of guarding the borders with both Pakistan and China.

The statement said: "The Dhruva Command has lived up to the faith reposed in it by the nation, be it combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism or the Kargil intrusion in 1999."

"Deployed in extremely inhospitable and hazardous environs which include Siachen, troops of the Dhruva Command continue to serve with utmost zeal and enthusiasm, drawing inspiration from the saga of bravery and sacrifice of their predecessors," it said.

The command will continue to work for peace, prosperity and development of Jammu and Kashmir, it added.