Army Day marked in Nepal amid spectacular displays, parades

KATHMANDU, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Nepal ARMY observed its annual ARMY DAY on MonDAY amid a special function at the Nepal ARMY pavilion in Tundikhel in the capital city.

Every year, Nepal ARMY is celebrating ARMY DAY coinciding with the Hindu's festival Maha Shivaratri as per the lunar calendar.

ARMY DAY is celebrated to honor courage, patriotism and military professionalism and to recall the sacrifices made by brave soldiers for the people and nation.

Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who is also the ARMY's Supreme Commander, attended the function as the chief guest.

Similarly, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker of House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, ministers, chiefs of security bodies, representatives from diplomatic missions and various high level government officials observed the ceremony.

On the occasion, Nepal ARMY personnel displayed spectacular arts and skills including march-past, military drills, raid operations, and disaster rescue operation, among others. They also displayed armaments and equipment including armored vehicles, weapons, and engineering and communication devices among others.

Likewise, the cultural military team from seven different provinces of the country performed special dances in traditional attires. In addition, the trained military personnel displayed shoot to kill, taekwondo, khukuri drill and free fall jump with the use of parachutes.

As in past years, Nepal ARMY soldiers displayed a special rifle salute firing in succession along the ranks. Different battalions were presented with colors, banners and arms, trophies and prizes for their contributions by the Chief of ARMY Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa.