The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today visited three memorials in Punjab which commemorate some of the spectacular successes of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1965 war.
The Prime Minister visited the Dograi War Memorial, and the Barki War Memorial. The battles of Dograi and Barki were decisive successes achieved by the Indian Army during the 1965 war.
The Prime Minister visited Asal Uttar, the site of one of the biggest ever tank battles, where the Indian Armed Forces achieved a major victory. The battle of Asal Uttar is remembered for the heroics of Veer Abdul Hamid, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The Prime Minister paid homage by laying a wreath on the memorial of Abdul Hamid.
The Prime Minister greeted and interacted with officers and jawans of the Indian Army and Air Force, at Dograi War Memorial, Barki War Memorial, and Air Force Station – Halwara.
The Prime Minister said that everyone wishes to spend Diwali with his or her family, and therefore, just as he had visited Siachen last year, he has chosen to spend Diwali with the officers and jawans of the Armed Forces this year as well. He said that as this year marked the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war, he has chosen to visit locations where the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces had shed blood and made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
The Prime Minister said that the long-pending issue of One-Rank, One Pension has been resolved, and it has been granted.
Here are some glimpses of PM celebrating Diwali with Soldiers:
Today on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I am visiting the border areas to spend time with our Jawans.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
I just laid a wreath and paid my respects at the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa, Amritsar, Punjab. pic.twitter.com/bqMvRiV9RB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
In the 1965 war, the Battle of Dograi on Sep 22, 1965 was one of the toughest battles fought and won by our forces.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
Battle of Dograi was won under the inspiring leadership of Lt Col Desmond Hayde, CO 3 JAT, adding a glorious chapter in history of our Army.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
I spent time with our soldiers and we had a wonderful conversation. pic.twitter.com/W6BzVPCS6L
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
I just laid a wreath at the Asal Uttar Memorial near Valtoha on the Amritsar-Khem Karan road in Punjab.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
During this battle CQMH Abdul Hamid single handedly destroyed 3 enemy tanks & helped stop their offensive, inspite of being mortally wounded
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
Our forces captured/destroyed over 90 enemy tanks by the end of the Battle of Asal Uttar.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
Asal Uttar Memorial marks the Battle of Asal Uttar, which was one of the largest tank battles fought within Indian territory in 1965.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
Paying homage to CQMH Abdul Hamid. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his gallantry. pic.twitter.com/fkgdEGEiZu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
Just laid a wreath & paid my respects at Barki War Memorial in Ferozepur, Punjab, which marks the fall of Barki town on Sep 11 in 1965 war.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
The landmark victory for our forces paved the way for further success in the western sector.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
The memorial also displays a captured enemy tank. I interacted with our brave Jawans in the cantonment.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015
I just visited our Air Force base at Halwara and interacted with our men there. This base saw action in 1965.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2015