Srinagar, Jan 12: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar based Chinar Corps on Saturday said the Army was committed towards “maintaining and sustaining” peace and harmony in the Valley. 
 Addressing Chinar Corps Raising Day function at B B Cantonment here the GOC said: “Last year proved to be watershed in terms of stability and economic prosperity in the Kashmir Valley.  The secure environment in year 2012 has resulted in the transformation towards ushering in peace, stability and economic development for which each and every soldier and civilian contributed.” 
 The GOC thanked people for standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Army and “cooperating” in all the spheres of Chinar Corps endeavors. 
 The Chinar Corps celebrated its 98th Raising Day on Saturday with Lt Gen K T Parnaik, GOC-in-C Northern Command and Lt Gen Om Prakash, GOC Chinar Corps paying floral tribute at the B B Cantonment War Memorial, Army’s Srinagar based spokesman said in a statement.
 “Raised on 12 Jan 1916, at Port Said, Egypt, the Chinar Corps has seen active operations during World War I & II and wars with Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil Conflict in 1999, winning accolades and laurels for the country. Interestingly, the history of the Corps is inextricably linked with the post 1947, history of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
 “Besides steadfastly guarding the borders, the Chinar Corps has been at the forefront in fighting against the ongoing proxy war in the Valley and committed towards bringing peace and normalcy in the State. Notwithstanding the operational commitments, the troops of Chinar Corps, with the whole hearted support of people and in conjunction with the state administration, has undertaken a large number of development projects in the Valley through its Sadbhavana’ schemes. Initiatives towards ameliorating the general condition of the people in far flung areas of Valley and boosting the infrastructure in the under developed areas, severely affected by militancy, brought Army closer to the people,” the spokesman claimed.  
 On this occasion, the spokesman said, on behalf of GOC, Maj Gen Rajesh Arya, COS conveyed his greetings and best wishes to all ranks of the Corps and the local civil persons who have ever been part of the Corps.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST