Army pays tributes to martyrs on Vijay Diwas

Jammu: Paying homage to valiant martyrs on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, Chief of Army's Northern Command, Lt Gen D Anbu on Friday said the Army changed the course of history with its undeterred courage, dedication and professionalism, bringing honour to the country.

"The Indian Army changed the course of history with its undeterred courage, dedication and professionalism, bringing glory and honour to the nation," he said.

The Northern Command commemorated the occasion with a wreath laying ceremony at Dhruva Shahid Smarak by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen D Anbu.

Lt Gen Anbu and all ranks of Northern Command and a large number of veterans and serving soldiers laid wreaths in honour of the valiant martyrs and to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

In this message, he said, "This glorious day in the annals of history of India was made possible due to the supreme sacrifices of valiant soldiers during the War."

Thereafter Lt Gen Anbu interacted with the veterans and service personnel present on the occasion.

Each year, December 16 is celebrated as Vijay Diwas to commemorate India's historic victory over Pakistan, a defence spokesman said.

Swift and professionally planned operations executed by the armed forces led to one of the greatest military victories for the liberation of the people of erstwhile East Pakistan and the creation of a sovereign independent Bangladesh, he said.

It was on this day, that the largest military surrender took place at Dhaka when Indian Army, accepted the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani troops from Lt Gen A A K Niazi of the Pakistan Army.

The Western Command of the Army, located in Panchkula district of Haryana, also celebrated the 45th anniversary of Vijay Diwas with full military grandeur and dignity at its Headquarters today.

A large number of ex-servicemen and service personnel participated in the celebrations and paid homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in Indo-Pak War of 1971.

Lt General I S Ghuman, Chief of Staff, Western Command, and a large number of veterans and serving soldiers laid wreaths in honour of our valiant martyrs, a spokesman said.

To mark the 45th year of victory of Indian Army in 1971 Indo-Pak war over Pakistan Army Vijay Diwas was celebrated at Nagrota Military station.

General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, Lt Gen A K Sharma, laid wreath at Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal War Memorial at Nagrota this morning to honour the valiant martyrs of Indian Army.

Vijay Diwas celebrations were today also held at all stations of Jaipur-based South Western Command where the officers paid tributes to the martyrs.

General Officer Commanding -in Chief (GOC-in C) of the South Western Command Lt Gen Sarath Chand along with other senior officers and jawans paid rich tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Prena Sthal at Jaipur Military Station in a solemn ceremony.