Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, December 16

Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, tributes were paid to martyrs during a solemn ceremony organised at the Veer Smriti War Memorial at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir today.Wreaths were laid by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh, former Army chief Gen VP Malik, several retired senior officers as well as war widows.A ceremonial guard reversed arms while buglers sounded the Last Post followed by the Rouse, as a mark of respect to the fallen soldiers. A large number of serving and retired officers and other ranks attended the ceremony.As part of the Vijay Diwas celebrations, a befitting tribute was also paid to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, who was decorated posthumously with Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award, for his actions on the western front during the war. Poona Horse, Kheterpal’s regiment, sent a ceremonial guard for the occasion and wreaths were laid at his statue installed near the entrance of Chandimandir. Several of his course mates and regimental officers, some of who became Lieutenant Generals, as well as officers and men from the regiment were present on the occasion.War widows and the kin of martyrs of the tricity were also felicitated by Anita Singh, regional president, Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the spectacular victory achieved by the Indian armed forces on both eastern as well as western fronts in 1971.It was on this day 44 years ago that over 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendered before the Indian Army, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh.