Our Correspondent

Fazilka, December 16

Braving the cold weather, hundreds of locals gathered today on the streets to hail war veterans and kin of martyrs who took out a ‘Victory Parade’ here. The parade was taken out to honour 206 soldiers who were martyred while defending Fazilka during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The martyrs are known as ‘Saviours of Fazilka’.

Major General SPS Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner Manpreet Singh, Brigadier Rupinder Singh, SSP Bhupinder Singh, Fazilka MLA Davinder Singh Ghubaya, former minister Surjit Kumar Jyani and a galaxy of Army and civil officers took part in the rally that went from the District Administrative Complex to the Clock Tower.

The town was decorated with flowers and lights. Shopkeepers and locals showered petals on the martyrs’ family members who were sitting in decorated jeeps. They also distributed sweets at nearly 40 different points en route the procession.

Two Army paragliders were the main attraction as they took a round of the town and showered flowers on participants from the sky. An Army pipe and brass band led the victory procession, followed by a large number of students.

“I have never seen such a warm welcome being given to war veterans in my life. Fazilka residents have set an example,” said octogenarian Colonel MS Gill (retd) who commanded the 4 Jat Regiment of the Army.

Addressing a large gathering at the Clock Tower, Major General Sidhu congratulated people on Vijay Diwas. In a social message, he exhorted all to shun drugs, corruption and use of polythene bags for the better future of the country.