Guv interacts with heroes of Naga regiment

ibune News Service

Shimla, July 26

Governor Bandaru Dattatreya interacted with the Kargil war heroes of the Naga regiment at Raj Bhavan today on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Divas.

Congratulating the Indian army on this special day, he said that Kargil victory was fabulous in which the brave soldiers of the Indian army showed their valor and commitment towards safeguarding the frontiers of the nation. He said that the people of the country would always be indebted to the army for its sacrifices and commitment for the national security.

The Governor said that the Indian army had emerged the strongest under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a result of which even Chinese army, which was trying to infiltrate into Indian border, was forced to move back.

Dattatreya said that Himachal Pradesh is known as Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi and virtually every household has a soldier. In the Kargil war, the soldiers of the state showed their courage and valor and 52 of them made supreme sacrifice to safeguard the frontiers of the nation.

He said 15 soldiers from Kangra district alone and 11 from Mandi district were martyred. Seven soldiers each from Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts, four from Shimla district, two from Una and one each from Chamba and Kullu districts were martyred.

The heroes of Himachal were awarded two Paramveer Chakras, five Vir Chakras, nine Sena Medals, one Yudh Seva Medal, two Uttam Yudh Sena medals and two soldiers with Mention-in-Dispatches.

He said that Indian history of bravery is a witness since every 10th medal of the Indian Army is named after Himachali soldier. The brave soldiers of this state have received the highest gallantry awards.

The Kargil war heroes of the Naga regiment shared their experiences of the war and apprised the Governor about the adverse conditions they had to face while capturing the point 4875 peak situated at around 17,000 feet height. They informed that 15 soldiers of the regiment sacrificed their lives during this aggression. The Naga regiment received 13 individual awards including Veer Chakra for its bravery in this war.

He honoured the Kargil war heroes on this occasion including Subedar Major Visale Lenu, Subedar Madan Mohan Pandey, Subedar Kenneth Anal, Naib Subedar Hemant Bisht, Naib Subedar Basant Chhetri and Havildar Pushkar Singh.