Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 16: In connection with the 42nd anniversary of `Vijay Divas; several functions were organized by the Army in the Northern and Western Army Commands today.
At the Northern Command headquarters here, a wreath laying ceremony was held at `Dhruva War Memorial’ by Chief of Staff, Northern Command Lt Gen HJS Sachdev. A large number of Army officers and civilian dignitaries besides Ex-servicemen were present on the occasion. They paid their homage to martyrs who laid down their lives during 1971 India-Pak war.
GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra in his special message highlighted the role of Indian Armed forces in achieving major Military victories in the 1971 war. This glorious day in the annals of the history of the Indian Army was made possible due to the supreme sacrifices of valiant soldiers during the 1971 war. The Indian Army changed the course of history with its undeterred courage and professionalism, bringing glory and honour to the nation.
While remembering the martyrs, all ranks of Northern Command reaffirmed steadfast and life long commitment to the martyrs’ families. He exhorted all the ranks of the Command to rededicate themselves in the service of the nation and emulate the devotion and resolution and resoluteness of war veterans and martyrs which has brought the Indian Army to the pinnacle of professional glory.
At Nagrota Corps headquarters GOC Lt Gen D S Hooda paid tributes the martyrs of 1971 by laying a wreath at Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal.
At Uniform Force headquarters Reasi a solemn ceremony was held with traditional military honours. The GOC placed a floral wreath at War Memorial at Reasi Garrison. A Romeo Force Headquarters Palma in Rajouri, the GOC Counter Insurgency Force after laying a wreath, exhorted all ranks of the Force to rededicate themselves to the task of national building and eliminating terrorism from the twin district of Rajouri and Poonch.
At Akhnoor, Maj Gen Rustam Patnaik GOC Cross Swords Division laid the wreath to honour the martyrs who laid their lives for the country. The memorial service was attended by all serving soldiers and the war veterans of 1971.
In Jammu, the GOC Tiger Division Maj Gen Ashwani Kumar laid floral wreath at Tiger War Memorial in Jammu cantonment today. The retired officers also paid tributes to the martyrs at the function. Last post was sounded by the buglers to mark the occasion.
Poonch Brigade also observed anniversary of Vijay Divas by paying tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives during 1971 war. A wreath laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial Poonch where in Commander Poonch brigade, MLA Aijaz Jan, DC Sajjad Ahmned Khan and SP Shamsheer Hussain paid homage to the brave soldiers.
At Bhela in Bhaderwah Vijay Divas was celebrated by Sohanda Rashtriya Rifles of Suigarh Sector ( Delta Force). On this occasion Veer Naris and ex-servicemen of the area were also honoured. Such meet was also organised at Halaran and Gandoh.
16 December each year is celebrated as Vijay Divas to commemorate India’s historic victory over Pakistan in 1971. On this day, the Chief of Pakistani forces General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi along with 93,000 troops surrendered before the Indian Forces. The unilateral and unconditional surrender of the Pakistan Army led to subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. The Indian Army under the leadership of Gen SHFJ Maneskshaw (Field Marshal), Navy, Air Force and the Para-military forces together registered historic win over Pakistan forces. The day witnessed the largest surrender after the World War-II.
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