Hundreds brave chill, fog to remember saviours of Naggi

Raj Sadosh

Abohar, December 29

Hundreds of people in Naggi village, located hardly half a km from Pakistan border in Sriganganagar, paid tributes to those who made the supreme sacrifice to recapture the territory from Pakistan during the 1971 war.

The three-day Naggi Vijay Diwas culminated with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Naggi War Memorial. Almost the entire village populace braved fog and chill to pay homage to the martyrs. Ex-servicemen’s families also turned up in good numbers.

The battle was fought 10 days after the ceasefire announcement of the Indo-Pak war wherein brave action by Indian soldiers at Naggi thwarted the nefarious designs of the Pakistan army to capture the village. In the ensuing battle, 21 Indian soldiers, including three officers, attained martyrdom.

A victory rally earlier witnessed participation of military personnel, government officials, students and local residents.

Subedar Dhanbir Singh (retd) shared memories of the war as the rally reached the Srikaranpur Municipal Council complex.

Sriganganagar MP Nihal Chand paid homage to the soldiers. “In 1971, our Army created history. The day will always be written in golden letters,” he said.

Various competitions were held for school students and the winners were honoured with prizes.