New Delhi, Mar 1 : President Pranab Mukherjee will release a commemorative stamp on the occasion of bicentenary celebrations of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Saturday.

The 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) was raised on March 8, 1813. This is one of the first battalions of the Indian Army, which served under the United Nations flag from November 1956 to November 1957 as part of Indian contingent of the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt and Gaza Strip.

The Battalion took part in various operations before and during World War -I and during World War -II it look part in operations in the Middle East and Burma.

During Jammu and Kashmir Operations, it took part in the famous battle of Shelatang on November 7, 1947. For its continued excellence in operations, the Unit was sent ''Out of turn'' for United Nations Mission tenure in Lebanon in January 2008 where it was awarded the United Nations Force Commander Citation.

The Battalion has the privilege of being bestowed with 11 pre-independence and two post-independence Battle Honours and one Theatre Honour. It has been awarded with 4 MVC, 1 KC, 15 VrC, 5 SC, 7 AVSM, 22 SM and 6 VSM. (ANI)