Fazilka, December 16
Tributes were paid to 206 soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war in the Fazilka sector, at the Asfawala War Memorial, 7 km from Fazilka, as part of Vijay Diwas.On the occiasion, family members of the martyrs were honoured.Sandeep Gilhotra, president, Shaheedon Ki Samadhi Committee, said the Fazilka sector suffered the maximum casualties (206) against the total of 1,600 soldiers of the country in the war.Abohar: Punjabi Sabhyachar Manch and other NGOs honoured ex-serviceman Sharat Chander Sharma (74) and retd Major Surinder Prasad. — OC
Ex-servicemen, soldiers demand status of war fighters
Army men pay tribute to martyrs on the occasion of Vijay Diwas at the War Memorial in Dharamsala on Friday. Photo: Kamaljeet
Shimla: Ex-servicemen on Friday demanded war fighter status for all serving and ex-servicemen, who fought wars for the country. They raised the demand on occasion of Vijay Diwas. They said they should be given all benefits that the Ministry of Defence gave to the freedom fighters. “Time has come to recognise the contribution of these unsung war fighters of the nation to motivate young people to join the armed forces,” they asserted. “To give war medals to these ex-soldiers is nothing more than a lollipop,” says Capt (retd) Jagdish Verma, president, Honorary Commissioned Officers’ Welfare Association of Himachal Pradesh, which has been championing the cause of the serving and ex-soldiers in the state for many years. “We appreciate both state and Central governments for increasing the monetary and other benefits for war heroes and war widows,” said Lt (retd) BM Dogra, Indian Navy. Kuldeep Chauhan
Chinar Corps pays tributes to martyrs on Vijay Diwas
15 Corps GOC Lt Gen JS Sandhu pays homage to the martyrs in Srinagar on Friday. Tribune photo
Srinagar, December 16
The Srinagar-based 15 Corps of the Army, also known as the Chinar Corps, celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Army’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and commemorated the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives.Lt Gen JS Sandhu, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the war memorial here on behalf of the Army fraternity. A function was organised at the war memorial in the Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, where rich tributes were paid to those who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pak war.The day is celebrated every year as ‘Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate the Army’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The Chinar Corps had the responsibility of J&K during the war. The day was also celebrated at various Army formations and units across the Kashmir valley, an Army spokesman said. — TNS
Pak troops target Army posts in Poonch sector
Our Correspondent
Poonch, December 16
Pakistani troops today violated the truce agreement by targeting forward posts of the Indian Army and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Balakote sector of Poonch district.“The firing from the Pakistani side started at 9.15 am and continued for about 75 minutes. Pakistan targeted several Indian positions in the Balakote sector and villages close to the LoC,” a defence source said.“The Pakistan army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars at 9.15 am on Indian Army posts along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector,” a defence spokesperson said today. “The Army retaliated strongly and effectively. The firing stopped around 10.30 am,” he added.Sources said the Pakistan army shelled posts with heavy mortars and opened fire with small arms and automatic weapons in the Sholla, Basooni, Dharati and Panjani areas of the Balakote sector.No loss of life or property was reported on the Indian side. Pakistan violated the ceasefire after a lull of almost three weeks.