Hundreds of Fazilka residents participate in ‘victory rally’

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, December 15

Hundreds of residents took out a “victory procession” through the markets of Fazilka on the eve of Vijay Diwas. The event aimed at commemorating the martyrs of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, who lost their lives in Fazilka sector.

People from different walks of life participated in the procession, which was led by local MLA and state Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani, Major General, 16 Infantry Division, Bipin Bakshi; Brigadier VK Sharma, Commander, 67 Infantry Brigade; Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Brar; and Senior Superintendent of Police Swapan Sharma.

The town was decorated with flowers and lights. The entire town had converged at the main road leading to historical clock tower which was decked up beautifully.

Some relatives of martyrs, including Udhampur resident Urmila Bhatiyal, wife of late Major Narain Singh, and Santosh Rana, wife of late Major SK Rana, also participated in the procession. Notably, Major Narain Singh had killed Major Shabbir Sharif, elder brother of the present army chief of Pakistan Raheel Sharif in the battle fought in Fazilka sector.

Members of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Union, Fazilka, also participated in the rally. “Everyone wanted to be part of the victory parade to pay tributes to the martyrs,” said Ashok Gulbadhar, president, Beopar Mandal.

Four Army pipe bands, which led the procession, attracted huge crowds, particularly shopkeepers, who came out of their shops to welcome the kin of martyrs and others. Members of NGOs showered flowers on the participants and offered sweets at a dozen places during the procession.