Tributes paid to 1965 martyrs in Bilaspur, Mandi
The Soldier Welfare Department and the District Ex-Servicemen League celebrated the 59th Victory Day of the 1965 India-Pakistan War at the Shaheed Smarak at Indira Market in Mandi today. ADC Rohit Rathour was the chief guest and ADM Madan Kumar was the special guest.
Tributes were paid to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war. Ex-servicemen observed a two-minute silence to honour the fallen heroes. Reflecting on the historical context, District League president Capt Kashmir Singh (retd) said, “The conflict escalated on August 5, 1965, when Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, initiating attacks in the Kashmir region. The local populace did not support the Pakistani forces, which faced a counter-offensive by the Indian Army, notably in the Khemkaran sector” he remarked.
“The battle resulted in significant losses, with Pakistan suffering 5,988 military casualties compared to India’s 2,735, including 28 soldiers from the Mandi district,”he added.
Commemorating valour
Hamirpur: The district administration organised a function to mark the sacrifice of martyrs of 1965 India-Pakistan war and paid tribute to the martyrs at the Shaeed Samark in Bilaspur today.
Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq laid the wreath at the war memorial while Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal, SDM Sadar Abhishek Garg along and the members of Ex-Serviceman Welfare Committee Capt Sanjay, Subedar Sarabjit Singh, Capt Balak Ram, Subedar Jeet Singh, Subedar Veer Singh Suresh Nadda Prem Singh were also present. The family members of some the martyrs also paid tribute to the martyrs on the occasion.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the contribution made by the great warriors of the nation could not be forgotten. He said that their martyrdom was a source of inspiration for the coming generations. He added that the glorious stories of the martyrs reminded us of our rich heritage and the gallantry of people of the area.
