In a bid to pay rich tributes to the great warriors of Indian Army who laid down their lives to save the Country by giving befitting reply to Pakistan during 1965 war, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today decided to celebrate 50th Anniversary of the war as mega event on September 9 at village Amarkot in Tarn Taran district.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Badal took this decision in a high level meeting held at his official residence this morning. The Chief Minister asked the concerned officers to make elaborate arrangements for the commemoration of this mega event, which was of immense significance in the annals of country’s defence. Mr. Badal said that our valiant soldiers had made supreme sacrifices to protect our borders from enemy during 1965 war and this memorable function to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s great feat in the history of armed forces would ever be a source of inspiration to inculcate a spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst our youth.
The Chief Minister asked the officers in the meeting to ensure maximum participation of heirs of war heroes, decorated and serving army officers so as to pay homage to the war heroes in a befitting manner. He also directed the officers to ensure the participation of heirs of Abdul Hameed during the 50th Anniversary of 1965 Indo-Pak War. He said that the invitations should be sent well in advance to ensure participation of the representatives of units which took part in this war.It should be mentioned here that this area was known as ‘Graveyard of Pakistan’s Ultramodern Patton Tanks’. Brave Indian soldiers destroyed many Patton tanks in this area during the war. Before laying down his life at the altar of the motherland, the Company Quarter Master Havaldar Abdul Hameed destroyed four Pakistani Patton Tanks and he was awarded highest military award Param Vir Chakara posthumously.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Defence Services Welfare Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, ADGP (Law & Order) Mr. Rohit Chaudary, IGP Mr. Alok Nath Angra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Amritsar Mr. Ravi Bhagat, Director Defence Services Brigadier (Retd.) Jatinder Singh Arora and Additional Director (Admn.) Information & Public Relations Mr. Puneet Goel.