Srinagar, Jan 12 (IANS) Raised this day at Port Said in Egypt in 1916, the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army celebrated its 96th raising day Thursday.

Floral tributes were paid at the Badami Bagh cantonment war memorial by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the corps, Lt Gen S.A. Hasnain.

The Chinar corps took active part in the First and Second World Wars, and the 1965, 1971 wars with Pakistan and the 1999 Kargil conflict.

Besides guarding the borders, the Chinar corps has been at the forefront in the fight against armed insurgency in the Kashmir Valley.

“Notwithstanding the operational commitments, the troops of Chinar Corps with the whole hearted support of the local people and in conjunction with the state administration, have undertaken development projects in the valley through its ‘Sadhbhavana’ schemes and initiatives towards ameliorating the general condition of the people,” a defence release said here.

Gen Hasnain, in his message to the troops, exhorted all to maintain the highest levels of operational readiness while re-dedicating themselves to achieving their goals, it said.

“The GOC reiterated that like 2011, the year 2012 will be a year of ‘peace’ in the valley, where the army would stand shoulder to shoulder with the populace in all its endeavours,” the release said.