Excelsior Correspondent
![Army officer laying wreath during Shahidi Diwas at Mendhar on Friday. - Excelsior/Nazki](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/page5-123-300x168.jpg)
MENDHAR, Apr 26: Bhimber Gali Brigade and the local population observed “Shahidi Diwas” and paid tributes to the sons of the soil, who lost their while assisting the Army on the war front during 1965 Indo–Pak conflict to thwart nefarious designs of the enemy.
On the occasion, Javed Rana, MLC and Commander BG Brigade laid wreaths at Shahid Smarak, followed by patriotic songs by school children and citizens of the town.
Javed Rana while speaking recalled the sacrifice of the martyrs and exhorted them to follow their footsteps. He also urged the civil administration to improve the existing memorial so that the event could be conducted on a larger scale next year.
He requested the Army to conduct a recruitment rally in the region so that more youth could serve the nation.
Commander, Bhimber Gali Brigade, while addressing the gathering, impressed upon them to emulate the rich and gallant legacy left behind by these patriots. He also urged the parents to provide good education to the children so that they grow up into responsible citizens of the nation.
The ceremony ended with presentation of gifts to next of kins of the martyrs by the MLC and Commander, in presence of officers of the District and tehsil administration including SDM, Shafiq Ahmed, Iqbal Singh, tehsildar and other citizens.