Panther Division celebrates diamond jubilee

Marking six decades of raising of the Panther Division, various activities were held in a run-up to its diamond jubilee, which falls on October 1. A blood donation camp, a traditional “Bara Khana” and a musical evening was organised for troops at respective cantonments in Amritsar and Jalandhar during the celebrations.

Maj Gen Mukesh Sharma, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Panther Division, along with serving officers and veterans, laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Amritsar Cantonment to pay tributes to the brave hearts, who made supreme sacrifice for the nation in true tradition of Indian Army. A motorcycle expedition from Amritsar to Rohtang Pass was flagged off by the GOC, Panther Division, to commemorate the occasion.

Panther Division was raised by Maj Gen Niranjan Prasad on October 1, 1964, at Clement Town in Dehradun. Later on, the division became fully operational on March 31, 1965, and was mobilised to Amritsar on April 1, 1965, to participate in Operation Riddle.

Panther Division has been at the forefront of many operations and brought laurels to the nation in the famous Battle of Dograi in 1965 India Pakistan War and Battle of Dera Baba Nanak and 1971 Indo-Pak war at Burj-Fatehpur.

Panther Division has the distinction of hoisting the first Indian flag in Western Pakistan in 1971 war. The division was awarded numerous gallantry awards including four Maha Vir Chakras, nine Vir Chakras, 12 Sena Medals and 37 Mention in Despatches.

To further mark the occasion, FICCI FLO Amritsar chapter hosted an evening titled “Echoes of valour” to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Panther Division. A performance by double amputee dancer Ablu Rajesh Kumar was the highlight of the event showcasing extraordinary talent and resilience. Musicologist Dipin Raj and Tannya Khanna, Vice Chairperson, FLO, Amritsar, founder of Melody Home, also performed on the occasion.