1965 Indo-Pak war heroes honoured
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, September 24
Remembering and commemorating the golden jubilee of 1965 Indo-Pak war at the War Memorial, Rakh Bagh, the war veterans were honoured here yesterday.
About 150 ex-servicemen, most of them having fought the war, attended the wreath-laying ceremony. A video of the war was also played.
Ex-servicemen recounted the stories of the intrepid men, who fought the battles, made sacrifices, laid their lives and emerged as winners for the nation, its honour and its people.
“The ceasefire was declared at about 3.30 am on September 23, 1965, and the war came to end,” recalled Col DS Grewal.
Lt Col Mahijit Singh Buttar, Subedar Gurcharan Singh, son of Naik Darshan Singh, Col Harbant Singh Kahlon, relatives and soldiers of other brave men were honoured.
Son of Naik Darshan Singh, who was honoured with Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous), was also present. Section commander of Sikh Light infantry in Mendher Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, he braved death as he advanced through the dense mines during the war. He was honoured with the award of Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.
Lt Col Mahijit Singh Buttar, showing great leadership and courage, had captured Ichhogil canal, in one of the most fiercely fought battles during the war, and opened the route to capture Barki police station near Lahore. He was honoured with Vir Chakra after the war.
Col Harbant Singh Kahlon, served as Gun Position Officer and Observation Post officer in 1965 war. In 1971, he became Captain and again performed the duty of Observation Post Officer in Rania sector. His calculation proved so accurate that the enemy had to face enormous casualities. His strong sense of duty at the face of sure death earned him the Vir Chakra.
Several other decorated officers and relatives of the war veterans were also honoured. Col Grewal said most of the ex-servicemen who had come here had fought the 1965 war.
