UK army officers hail Sikh warriors

Amritsar, December 11

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In their week-long tour to India, a delegation of the British army today visited Amritsar and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Later, the army men held a brief meeting with Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and visited the Saragarhi Memorial gurdwara and Saragarhi Sarai.

The delegation, led by Brigadier Celia Jane Harvey, included Captain Craig Bickerton, Colonel John Kendall, Captain Jagjeet Singh Sohal and warrant officers Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wood and Ashok Chauhan.

Recalling the battle of Saragarhi fought in 1897 between the British Indian Empire and Afghan Tribes in the North-West Frontier Province, now in Pakistan, Sohal said the purpose of the visit was to get to know and appreciate 21 Khalsa warriors who fought till their last breath. “We can go back and try to inspire others about the courage of Sikh warriors,” he said.

Brigadier Harvey said as there were Sikh champions in British defence, it was important to know about their loyalty and courage. “While understanding Sikh customs in a better way, we can ensure that Sikhs in the British army, navy and air force should be looked after well while serving with British soldiers,” she said.

Later, while addressing a seminar at Khalsa College, she said the role of Sikh soldiers during the World Wars was exemplary and the European countries owed their freedom to them. — TNS