Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: The Swarnim Vijay Mashaal, which was lit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi last year marking the beginning of the 50th anniversary celebrations of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971, reached the martyr memorial in the Udhampur-based Northern Command on Monday.
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The station commander of Udhampur military garrison received the victory flame at Dhruva War Memorial, the defence spokesperson said.
India celebrates December 16 as Vijay Diwas to commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Last year, PM Modi lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh Mashaal’ (golden victory year torch) from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in New Delhi on December 16.
On Monday, a solemn wreath was laid at the ‘Dhruva Shaheed Smarak’ at the Northern Command’s headquarters in Udhampur to commemorate the historic victory of the Indian armed forces over the Pakistan Army in December 1971 and pay homage to the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal (victory flame), he said.
Lieutenant General Y K Joshi, Army Commander, Northern Command laid the wreath to honour the flame that was lit in remembrance of the valiant soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.
The event was attended by defence veterans, NCC cadets and senior Army officers of Udhampur military station.
The Swarnim Vijay Mashaal had arrived at Udhampur on Sunday from Nagrota and was received with full ceremonial honours. The victory flame was then escorted to the local unit quarter guard.
On Monday, the victory flame was handed over to the station commander of Udhampur military garrison after the customary ‘last mile run’ to be placed at Dhruva War Memorial, spokesman said.
The wreath laying was thereafter carried out by JCOs and veterans followed by wreath laying by the Army Commander of Northern Command.
On culmination of the ceremony, the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal was further handed over to Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) where it will be taken to various units to commemorate the victory of 1971, spokesman said.
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