Veterans recall battlefield memories on Gunners’ Day

The Ludhiana Veteran Gunners celebrated 199th Gunners’ Day at Officers’ Institute here on Sunday night with enthusiasm. They shared experiences of the battlefield and also motivated gunners serving in the Army.

During the get together, it was heartening to see officers and women remembering old days and exchanging notes.

Organising secretary, Ludhiana Veteran Gunners, Brigadier SS Gill, who is a decorated artillery officer, said September 28 marks a defining moment in the history of Indian artillery as on this day in 1827, first artillery unit namely 5 Mountain Battery was raised laying the foundation of the most formidable arm of the Indian Army. Now it’s the second biggest arm of the Army.

From rugged terrain of Siachin to inhospitable dessert terrain, the gunners have always stood tall delivering fire power with precision, glory and honour living upto it’s motto ‘Sarvatra Izzat O Iqbal’ (meaning everywhere with honour and glory’), added Brigadier Gill while addressing the gathering of retired gunners.

Ludhiana as such has no artillery unit located here but the veteran gunner officers and their family members have been gathering at the Ludhiana Defence Officers Institute to celebrate the day every year, he said.

Artillery has proven to be the arm of decision, a battle winning factor and will continue to be the pivotal arm in all future battles. The gunners over the years, have displayed their indomitable spirit to excel in all spheres, be it operations, training, sports or adventure, said seniormost Gunner Officer Maj Gen SS Jawanda while highlighting the role of the artillery.

He said the Regiment proved its mettle during the operations of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1999 Kargil War and the ongoing ‘Op Pawan’. In addition, since the mid 1980s, the gunners have been fighting shoulder to

shoulder with infantry in counter insurgency operations in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and north eastern states.