President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented the Standard to 86 Armoured Regiment near Pathankot. The President reviewed an impressive mounted parade of T-55 tanks. He was received by the Colonel of the Regiment, Lt Gen K Davar. The parade was commanded by Col RS Malve, the twelfth commandant of the regiment. Dr Kalam also released a 'First Day Cover' to commemorate this historic occasion. The ceremony was attended by a large number of civilian and military dignitaries, retired officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans of the regiment.

Eightysix Armoured Regiment was raised on March 1, 1977. The regiment, comprising a mixed class composition, served in both strike and defensive formations in all theatres of operations in the country. It has activily participated in operations Trident in 1987, Vijay in 1999 and Parakram in 2001. The regiment also took part in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Its efforts have fructified with the award of two Param Vishist Seva Medals, one Ati Vishist Seva Medal, two Chief of Army Staff's commendation cards and seven General Officer Commanding-in-Chief commendation cards to the brave and dedicated soldiers of the regiment.

-Lt Col Bhanwar Rathore