Vijay Diwas celebrated

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 16

The Army celebrated the anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war on Tuesday. It paid homage to martyrs who had died for the country.

The anniversary was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur. A large number of civil and Army officers and ex-servicemen participated in the celebrations.

The Northern Command commemorated the occasion with a wreath-laying ceremony at Dhruva War Memorial. Lieutenant General DS Hooda, GOC-in-C of the Northern Command, spoke on the occasion.

He highlighted the role of the armed forces in major victories in the war. He exhorted all ranks to rededicate themselves to service of the nation. The staff reaffirmed their commitment to martyrs’ families.

Bangladesh had become a separate country 43 years ago. The line of ceasefire was made the Line of Control on December 16, 1971.

The swift and planned operations had led to one of the greatest military victories. It was on this day that the largest military surrender after World War II took place in Dhaka.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command, Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, had then accepted the surrender of Lieutenant General AAK Niazi.

Around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were captured. They were released when the Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972.