Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 19: Paying homage to the supreme sacrifices made by 22 gallant soldiers of 16 Punjab (Patiala) during the 1971 war in Chhamb sector, a ‘War Memorial’ was dedicated to martyrs by the Army at Hamirpur in Akhnoor, here today.
A ‘War Memorial’ was constructed to honour the supreme sacrifice of those 22 bravehearts on the occasion of celebration of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. A wreath laying ceremony was organised at the War Memorial in presence of Major General Ajay Kumar, GOC Delta Force, an ex officer of 16 Punjab (Patiala), Brig HPP Singh and all the veterans of 1971 war.
The 16 Punjab fought in the Chhamb sector in two different major operations, i.e Attack on posts ‘Thako Chak’ and ‘Hail Manhasan’ in the year 1971. “On the night of December 12 and 13 in 1971, the ‘C’ Company launched a raid for destruction of an enemy post at ‘Hail Manhasan’- two kilometres inside Pak territory. The company went across under the cover of darkness and captured the enemy post.”
The battalion was also tasked to recapture ‘Thako Chak’ area which was recaptured by the D-Company on the night of December 14 and 15 amid heavy volume of fire from the enemy post wherein one JCO and 21 soldiers laid down their lives in these operations.
It is pertinent to mention here that in December, 2021, Colonel PC Sharma (Retd), Col BS Rangi (Retd) and Col KYS Minhas (Retd), the veterans of 16 Punjab who were part of the war in the year of 1971 visited the battleground and paid homage to their fallen comrades.
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