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Tributes paid to Punjab martyr

Tributes paid to Punjab martyr

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon pays tributes to Lance Naik Rajinder Singh in Srinagar on Sunday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 28

The Army paid a befitting tribute to late Lance Naik Rajinder Singh, who was killed on the Line of Control while foiling an infiltration bid in the frontier Kupwara district on Saturday.

In a solemn ceremony at the Badami Bagh Cantonment on Sunday, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Commander of the Chinar Corps (also called the 15 Corps), and all ranks paid homage to the soldier on behalf of the nation.

“In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the martyr,” an Army statement said.

Lance Naik Singh (26) was deployed along the LoC in Machil sector, when during an infiltration bid by militants he was hit by a bullet in the ensuing firefight.

“He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. In him, the Army has lost a brave, dedicated and highly motivated soldier,” the statement added.

The late soldier hailed from Pabbarali Kalan of Gurdaspur, Punjab. He had joined the Army in 2014 and is survived by his wife and a son.

 


Retired Capt thrashed to death in Amethi

Amethi, July 28

A 64-year-old retired Army captain was beaten to death in UP’s Amethi district, the police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Saturday night in Godiyan ka Purva village under Kamrauli Police Station limits. The retired Army personnel, Amanullah, and his wife were in their house when a group of people attacked them with sticks, his son told the police.

Amanuallah’s wife told police that some people were trying to steal from a shop adjoining their house and when her husband objected and warned the perpetrators that he will inform police, they entered the house and beat him up, ASP Dayaram said. — PTI

Priyanka slams govt 

This is an incident in my home Amethi. Will the BJP govt find solution to this problem or will it continue to sleep and cover up. — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Cong leader


Kargil: ‘Izzat’ and honour for the soldier, after the headlines fade

The 20th anniversary of the war is a good time to internalise issues that have alienated the military

Twenty years ago, as a young 20-something, I had the lifechanging opportunity to report the Kargil War from the frontline. I had to beg, plead and fight my way through several hurdles before I received an all-clear. There was hesitation about allowing a female journalist into an all-male war zone. Practical objections included the absence of a demarcated bathroom or a place to sleep. I said, I’d go under a tree or behind a rock like my male colleagues. And that I understood that this was a conflict zone; not a tourist destination that had creature comforts.

MANISH SWARUP/HT ARCHIVES■ It was important to tell the human stories that would prevent our soldiers from becoming statistics, and would remind Indians that these were individuals combating real attachments — parents, girlfriends, children — to place duty above lossWhat I experienced next was a masterclass; not just in journalism, but in life itself. I had never been exposed to the military in any meaningful way before this. I had textbook notions of valour. I also had abstract notions of nationalism. But as I met and spent time in the war zone with young soldiers, who were only a couple of years younger than I was, the vulnerability of these officers and jawans hit me like a force of nature. I watched them — uncomplaining, cheerful, generous, compassionate — pushing fear aside, as they valiantly climbed up a jagged rock, in inhospitable terrain and temperatures, to win an impossible war. So much of the reporting focused on the hardware and the mechanics of conflict — the hardy, life-saving Bofors gun; the arc of orange fire that the multi-barrel-rocket-launcher formed across the sky over Dras and Kargil; the points that were taken back one point at a time. But it was as important to tell the human stories that would prevent

our soldiers from becoming statistics, and would remind Indians that these were individuals combating real attachments — parents, girlfriends, children — to place duty above loss.

Two decades later, not many know that what has been called India’s first televised war, was reported in an anachronistic age of technology. In 1999, there were no broadcast vans at the front or any satellite links; we did not even have the use of mobile phones available to us. We would sometimes walk a few kilometres to find a pitstop where a chopper would be set up to ferry body bags and coffins home. We would request the helicopter pilot to carry our videotapes back with him.

Sometimes, a couple of days would elapse between what we witnessed and what we were able to relay. And yet, this was the war that changed the compact between the citizen and the soldier. How we, in the civilian world, saw the man (and woman) in uniform changed fundamentally.

I found myself personally shaken for years altogether. One of the first interviews I did was that of Vikram Batra. It would also be the first obituary I would write from the frontline. As he came down from a successful assault, I asked him in all innocence: “Aren’t you scared?” His answer would come to be the stuff of legend. “Yeh dil maange more,” he said, throwing back his head in full-throated laughter. Those words would become emblematic of the courage of the young officers who won us the war. Their chief, General Ved Malik, who led his troops so ably, said with matter-of-fact courage: “We will fight with what we have.”

The irony is this: As the country pays its tributes to the soldiers at Kargil, there are fundamental issues that have hurt and alienated the military community. The unseemly fracas over taxing disability pensions is at the top of that list.

Though the defence minister promised resolution on this, it has not yet come. Instead, we mock post-traumatic stress disorder as some airy-fairy lifestyle disease without understanding its full horror.

Similarly, the military is mighty peeved at the fact that Non-functional Financial Upgrade (NFU), which compensates for a lack in promotion opportunity, has been applied to almost all government agencies, but them.

And there continues to be simmering anger over the pay commission anomalies that place a greater monetary value on a hardship posting for a bureaucrat in Guwahati, than a soldier in Siachen. Military personnel also feel marginalised in the decision-making over procurements and policyframing on key strategic affairs issues — something that General Malik has specifically addressed in his writings.

The 20th anniversary of Kargil is a good time to internalise one fact. The soldier cares for ‘izzat’ and honour — of his uniform, his paltan, and his country, above all. He doesn’t want hashtags, and lip service from TV studios one day in the year.

It’s how we treat him between the headlines that matter most. Let this Kargil anniversary be a turning point in that, just as the war was two decades ago.


Martyrs’ kin honoured

Martyrs’ kin honoured

The BSF organised an event to honour the Kargil martyrs’ kin in Fazilka on Friday. BSF Commandant Naresh Kumar honoured the mother and family members of Balwinder Singh who was killed during the war.

Kumar said martyr Balwinder Singh’s mother Bachan Kaur set a rare example by letting another son, Gurdip Singh, and grandson Jaj Singh join the Army as a tribute to her slain son in Kargil war. tns


War-wounded Major to carry ‘Victory Flame’

War-wounded Major  to carry ‘Victory Flame’

Major DP Singh (retd) and Subedar Yogendra Yadav (right) with the bust of Capt Vikram Batra at Drass. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25

The “Victory Flame” that has journeyed from New Delhi to Kargil will be carried in its last lap by a war wounded veteran and a Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee when it reaches the Kargil War Memorial at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

Maj DP Singh (retd), who lost his right leg while being posted along the Line of Control during Operation Vijay, will run the last leg among the retired soldiers. He will hand over the flame to PVC awardee Subedar Yogendra Yadav, from whom Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will receive it.

Despite losing a leg, Major DP Singh participates in sports activities using a steel/aluminum cast leg.

Major Singh, who served in the 7th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, said, “I’m ready to run the last lap and will remember the sacrifices made 20 years ago.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flagged off the “Victory Flame” from National War Memorial on July 14. The flame was handed over to Olympic shooter Subedar Jitu Rai in the presence of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and Kargil War hero Subedar Sanjay Kumar, a Param Vir Chakra awardee.

The “Victory Flame”, passed through nine major towns and cities of north India. The torch is made of copper, brass and wood.

Will run last leg

  • Major DP Singh (retd), who lost his right leg while being posted along the Line of Control during Operation Vijay, will run the last leg among the retired soldiers
  • He will hand over the flame to PVC awardee Subedar Yogendra Yadav, from whom Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will receive it

 


PENSION ISSUE

1.      I thank all Armed Forces veterans who sent their PPOs or details of pension to enable me to prove CGDA is wrong in recommending to Min of Def (ESW) that OROP be abolished. The reasons CGDA furnished for abolition of OROP at the cost of repetition are as under:-
(a)   7th CPC  equalized pension of Pre and Post – 2016 pensioners w.e.f. Jan 2016 hence OROP – 2018 is NOT required to be implemented.
(b)   Notional Pay method of Pension fixation has equalized pension of Pre & Post – 2016 pensioners.
(c)   OROP – 2013 has resulted in an anomaly where in the Post – Jul 2014 pensioners who do not come under OROP – 2013 get less pension than OROP pensioners. This anomaly is widespread hence OROP is to be abolished.
(d)   Post – Jul 2014 Lt Cols and Brigs draw less pension compared to OROP – 2013 Lt Cols and Brigs. This information was obtained by Air Mshl SY Savur through RTI Act 2005.
2.      I have requested retirees of all vintages to send me their PPOs or details of pension. Some of the pensioners have acceded to my request and sent me their PPOs or given me details of their pension. The analysis shows all the reasons furnished by CGDA are totally incorrect. My deduction is CGDA is simply misleading Min of Def (ESW) with sole aim to deny OROP – 2018. My analysis of PPOs received show me all ranks of retirees will benefit immensely by Rs 2,000 to 10,000 by OROP – 2018. Therefore, we must prove CGDA as wrong and get OROP – 2018.
3.      I, therefore, need more PPOs with or without notional pay of all ranks. Sometimes the PPOs are illegible. Therefore, all those retired in the period Jan 1986 to Jun 2019 are requested to send me your PPOs especially E-PPOs. I have seen many PPOs are illegible. In addition to sending me your PPO or E-PPO, kindly give me the following information: –
(a)   Service No.
(b)   Rank.
(c)   Name in Full as per PPO.
(d)   Qualifying Service in Years and months.
(e)   Date of Commission or enrollment.
(f)    Date of Retirement.
(g)   Pension sanctioned at the time of retirement.
(h)   Notional pay as given in E-PPO.
(j)    For JCOs / OR only those of Group – Y need to send me their PPOs.
(k)   Your PPO or E-PPO No with suffix.
 4.      E-PPOs which show Notional Pay as on Jan 2016 are available in RODRA site of MP 5/6 of AGs Branch, Army HQ for Army Officers. Those Army Officers who are unable to register with RODRA and get E-PPOs are requested to contact me on phone anytime between 1900 and 2200 hrs on all days including Sundays and I shall try and get your E-PPOs.
5.      All those who sent me their PPOs or E-PPOs or given me details of pension need not send them again.
6.      The Min of Def (ESW) convened a Committee under Chairmanship of CGDA on 14 Jun 2019 with most of the members from DAD who will vehemently support abolition of OROP. We have only representatives of three Service HQs to place our views. Unless we are able to give hard facts to these Service HQs, we may lose OROP altogether. Time is running out for us. All Armed Forces veterans retired in the period Jan 1986 to Jun 2019 are requested to send this mail to all groups and WhatsApp Groups for faster dissemination so that I get more PPOs or E-PPOs or details of pension. I need some time to compile data and send them to our three Service representatives through Brig Kartar Singh, President, NCESMO.
7.      If the Committee of CGDA recommends with their weird logic to deny us OROP, then we have no other option but to go right upto Hon’ble Supreme Court to get OROP in the future. By the time we get judgment, 50% of present retirees would have gone to their heavenly abode.
8.      Please scan and send me your PPO or E-PPO and details as sought at para 3 to my e-mail id : csvidyasagar@gmail.com. Please hurry up as we have not time to lose.
Warm Regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)
TSEWA- 140
040-48540895

President to attend 20th annivversary

President to attend 20th annivversary

President Ram Nath Kovind

Srinagar, July 24

President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to visit the war memorial in the Drass sector on Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

He will offer tributes at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, officials said. He will be accompanied by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat.

“The President is coming on July 26 and will visit the war memorial where he will offer a wreath. He will be accompanied by the Army chief,” an officer said. — TNS


Earning your rank by Col K Thammayya Udupa (Retd)

Col K Thammayya Udupa (Retd)

Col K Thammayya Udupa (Retd)

GP was lost in thought. Two months back, he had rejoined the battalion after a tenure as an instructor in the military academy. He had been eager to return to the battalion and was sure that the Commanding Officer (CO) would promote him to Major against an existing vacancy. But, that day, promotion was the last thing on his mind. His “homecoming” had coincided with the arrival of MM, the new CO. MM had the reputation of being a foul mouth, a hard taskmaster and a tyrant. He knew every rule that had ever been made. He knew everything that a man in the profession of arms ought to know. MM was a perfectionist who would personally visit every nook and cranny of the unit and hold people accountable for any shortcoming. In just a few days, he had made life miserable for everyone.

Those who had worked with him earlier did mention that MM actually had a heart of gold and was often given to a bit of drama. These traits were nowhere to be seen in his present avatar, thought GP wearily. MM had no intention of promoting him. Instead, he had become the object of MM’s sadistic pleasure. MM had appointed GP the Officers’Mess Secretary and wanted the entire Mess to be renovated with only the best things, almost overnight. GP had done his best to bring the Mess to some shape. He had felt confident that it would meet MM’s high standards. But, on the day of the inspection, he was in for a shock; MM had literally torn the new curtains and kicked and shattered the new tiles. He had broken the windowpanes with one swing of his cane and in less than 15 minutes, the Mess was a mess. The perfectionist had pointed out one blemish after another. GP had to accept, grudgingly, that he had missed them all. MM was right. After three such inspections, GP had almost given up. Forget promotion, it was now a question of sheer survival.

GP came back to the real world. He wanted to utilise every minute of the next few hours in carefully checking and re-checking every inch of the Mess before the next inspection later that afternoon. He had requested all junior officers and ladies to go over the Mess again and again and bring to his notice any areas that could be improved.

His heart was pounding when MM arrived with the Second-in-Command (2IC). The news from the battalion was that it was difficult to gauge the old man’s mood. He had been unusually silent all day. And silent he was during the inspection. But the usual smirk on the face was still there, thought GP. “All the shouting and the brickbats is probably reserved for the end,” he thought.

MM inspected everything, the Mess staff’s living area, the new ornamental plants, the new glass-topped tables, the new livery for the waiters, the new guest rooms. Everything.

“2IC,” he thundered. “This Mess Secretary of yours…” The long pause killed not only GP, but also the 2IC. “He does not deserve to be a Captain.” Before they recovered from this onslaught, they heard the same booming voice, “Let us make him a Major.”

MM dug into his pockets and brought out a pair of brand new Major’s epaulettes. Before GP could realise what was happening, MM was upon him, quickly followed by the 2IC and in a flash both of them had slipped the new epaulettes on his shoulders. “Good job done, GP, we now have a good Officers” Mess. Keep up the good work. You have a bright future.” Even before GP could recover from the shock and offer a customary promotion drink to all those who were around, MM had vanished, rushing back to his office to make some other poor, pitiable officer earn his rank.


Kargil’s little-known fact: How IAF used helicopters to target intruders at high altitudes

Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter, Kargil, 1999 | IndianAirForce/Facebook

Today, 16 July, marks the day when Operation Safed Sagar, the air component of Operation Vijay that was launched to evict the Pakistanis from Kargil heights, was called off. The Indian Army was then closing in on the remaining few peaks that still had the intruders, and so, air strikes were no longer required. 

Op Safed Sagar heralded a few firsts in the history of the Indian Air Force, but two elements stand out – the use of offensive air power at the altitudes of 15,000-18,000 feet; and the use of precision weapons by the IAF for the first time. Embedded in these firsts are some little-known facts about the IAF’s use of helicopters that need a fresh look.

Helicopters in Kargil

Soon after 8 May 1999, it became clear that Pakistan had sprung a surprise on India by capturing vantage hill posts in Kargil that the Indian Army had vacated earlier in the winters. 

In the initial stages of the conflict, helicopters were planned to be used as the primary strike weapons against intruders housed at sangars (encampments made of rocks and boulders that could only be damaged by a direct hit – as Mirage LGB strike on Tiger Hill later showed). So, it was felt that the slow-moving helicopters (at just about 180 km/hr) would be more precise in bringing down firepower and inflicting damage on those pinhead targets that were, in a way, almost impossible to be picked up by a fighter aircraft diving in at 700-800 km/hour. But the helicopters’ slow speed would make them sitting ducks to small arms fire: by the time they pulled out from their dive after firing the rockets, they would be less than one kilometre from their targets.


Also read: In 1990, there was another daring rescue of an IAF helicopter from Siachen Glacier


That Pakistan had in its armoury shoulder-fired surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs) was known but we were to soon find out the copious density of their availability – with tragic results. Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) release flares. As infra-red seeking SAMs follow their targets based on heat, they would go after the flares fired by CMDS instead of the helicopter. The IAF had only about four or five CMDS kits available to be strapped on to the helicopters, and an equal number of armour plates to protect the cockpits. It was decided that the first helicopter would have both CMDS kit and armour plates, while others would have to do with some deficiency. A plan was drawn that a fighter strike would closely precede a helicopter mission so that their heavy ordnance delivery would force Pakistani intruders to keep their heads down while the helicopters came in for their attack run.

Day after govt go-ahead to Operation Vijay

On 26 May, two helicopter missions, comprising five and four aircraft, respectively, went in; each Mi-17, firing protective flares (if it had the CMDS), disgorged its 57mm rockets in salvo mode – all 128 of them. Before the enemy soldier could put his head up, the next Mi-17 came in and fired its 128 rockets – and the next and the next. Two more waves comprising six aircraft fired on Tololing and Kaksar on 27 May. Around this time, the IAF lost a MiG-27, when Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa ejected after an engine failure. What followed is not well known.

A Cheetah helicopter piloted by Squadron leader H.K. Sachdeva and Flight Lieutenant Nitin Welde was launched from Leh for Nachiketa’s search and rescue. With only sketchy information on the likely area of ejection, the crew searched for about 20 minutes before landing to ask villagers if they had seen any aircraft or parachute coming down. The villagers pointed to yador nulla, which, unknown to them, was teeming with intruders armed with SAMs. Sachdeva and Nitin flew around looking for Nachiketa, blissfully unaware of the SAMs’ threat: nothing was spotted, and with fuel running short, they came back to Kargil.


Also read: India’s first pilot to land on Siachen recounts how his life was saved by Army comrades


Upon their return, they were told about the ejection of Squadron leader Ajay Ahuja, the MiG-21 pilot who had kept orbiting in search of Nachiketa: a SAM had brought down his aircraft. Two more Cheetahs joined the search, but in hindsight, one can see the futility as both pilots had been captured by the Pakistanis. As is now well known, Nachiketa was sent back after a week but Ahuja was brutally tortured and killed.

Mi-17s continued to be in action on 28 May. A six aircraft mission was planned, with Wing Commander Anil Sinha, CO of 129 Helicopter Unit, leading the strike. On start-up, his aircraft went unserviceable; Sinha jumped into the second aircraft, taking over from its pilot. Squadron leader Rajiv Pundir’s aircraft too developed some emergency and he went into the third helicopter, replacing Flight Lieutenant Kulkarni. The four-ship mission took off and struck the Tololing complex. SAMs were being fired at each helicopter in the formation, but the CMDS flares deflected them – except for Pundir’s helicopter, the only one in the formation that did not have a CMDS. It got hit and crashed with four brave Indians on board. The IAF took a strategic pause and readapted quickly to the SAM threat. Fighter aircraft took to high-level GPS‑aided bombing, staying out of the SAMs’ envelope thereafter.

Night battles and return of Mi-17

Mi-17 helicopters were taken off from strike missions — this is what is known to all, except that in June, they were brought back for an audacious night attack plan on Tiger Hill. The battle for Tiger Hill was hotting up and Wing Commander Sanjay Mittal, commanding officer (CO) of 152 Helicopter Unit, was tasked for the strike. At night, hills and valleys appear very different due to hill shadows and differing light conditions as the moon rises. Mittal did some familiarisation flying post-midnight, including crossing the treacherous Zoji La pass and firing-practice at Toshe Maidan range. On 27 June, he and Squadron leader Arvind Pandey got airborne for Tiger Hill; crossing Zoji La, they orientated themselves for the run-in with the target. The moon was up, visibility was unlimited, and the Mi-17 settled down for spewing its deadly load of rockets. 

Suddenly, there was a huge bright flash — possibly the firing of a SAM. The pilots went into a steep dive, firing their protective flares; the missile got deflected but the helicopter had to return since its cover was broken. The mission was planned the next two nights too but was called off due to operational reasons, once after the helicopter had reached Zoji La. In the meantime, the Army jawans had made substantial progress and the IAF had honed up its precision Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) delivery and the Mi-17 night attack was no longer required.


Also read: At IAF’s Gwalior base, Mirages attack ‘Tiger Hill’ to celebrate 20 years of Kargil success


Meanwhile, other Mi-17s were busy transporting troops, airlifting artillery guns and other war stores. Cheetahs were flying incessantly and acting as Forward Air Controllers (FAC) for fighter strikes. Additionally, both these fleet were continuously flying back injured troops to the military hospital at Srinagar; there were 1,343 Indian Army personnel who were hurt – half of them, 700 or so, were flown out to safety by IAF helicopters.

Initial days are crucial

As the IAF and the nation commemorate 20 years of ‘Kargil,’ what is it that one needs to learn from the deadly skirmish that claimed 524 Indians in 1999? The biggest takeaway is that good, reliable and timely intelligence is vital to prevent being presented with a fait accompli. The way India and its neighbours are placed, it is crucial that our actions are well-rehearsed to avoid losses that we have been incurring in the initial stages of a conflict. 

In the 1965 war, 12 Vampire fighters were launched from Pathankot to stop the Pakistani advance on Chammb in the Akhnoor sector — but they slowed down the thrust, with four of them getting shot down. The aircraft, owing to their vintage nature and the Pakistan Air Force’s modern F-86 that they were up against, were withdrawn and replaced by Mystères, Hunters and Gnats. The IAF learnt from its mistakes, adapted quickly, and came out with its head held high. In the 1971 Bangladesh war, the lessons learnt from six years ago held us in good stead because the IAF had modernised itself during this period.

In ‘Kargil,’ after losing three aircraft in the first three days, the IAF adapted and came out on top again. This year, in the February skirmish after the Balakot airstrikes, two aircraft were lost on the first day. Had the conflict continued, the IAF would have done a quick reappraisal and handled the air war appropriately. Future conflicts would, in all probability, be short and swift. Engagements in the initial few hours and days are vital – the results need to be favourable in that short window because time for a ‘strategic pause’ to do a reappraisal may not be available. 


Also read: These 5 Indian Army, IAF heroes are the faces of the Kargil conflict


An even more important point is that with network-centric warfare becoming the norm (some of it was seen in February), it would not be just the pilot or the pilot-radar-fighter-controller that has to perform at the first instance; aerial engagements would be between ‘systems’ – in any future war, the full ‘system’ would have to perform from the word go, with the pilot being just one cog in it.

As we commemorate Kargil, the greatest tribute to all those Indians who laid down their lives at those daunting heights, as also to those who fought there, would be to fine-tune how we approach future wars. That’s the least we can do.

The author, a retired Air Vice Marshal, is Additional Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. He has served two tenures in the Siachen Pioneers – first as a Flying Officer between 1978 – 82 and then as the Commanding Officer from 1994 to 1997. He was the co‑pilot on the first landing on the Glacier – 06 Oct 1978. Views are personal.


Kargil bravehearts remembered

Kargil bravehearts remembered

Vishal Batra, brother of Capt Vikram Batra, PVC (P), pays homage to soldiers who lost their lives during the Kargil War. Tribune Photo

Chandigarh, July 12

DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, in association with the 13th JAK RIF (Kargil) celebrated the Kargil Vijay Diwas today to commemorate fallen heroes in Operation Vijay.

Capt Vikram Batra, PVC (P), a braveheart who sacrificed his life was an alumini and also an NCC Air Wing Cadet of DAV College.

The motorcycle expedition of the 13th Battalion Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on a tour from Mana Pass to Drass War Memorial reached DAV College.

Maj Gen RS Mann, VSM ADG, NCC, was the chief guest on the occasion.

DAV Principal Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma said, “Emotions create nations and define integrity of the country. It is a very proud moment for me and I welcome all the luminaries and salute the martyrs and soldiers.” 

Maj Gen Mann honoured Vishal Batra, who is the twin brother of Capt  Vikram Batra, Harbans Sagar, father of Major Sandeep Sagar, DS Sandhu, father of 2Lt Rajeev Sandhu and JC Kasal, father of Squadron Leader Sidhharth Vashisth. — TNS