Veterans of 1971 war honoured at Army Heritage Museum in Shimla

Shimla, October 20

Martyrs and veterans of the 1971 war with Pakistan were remembered and their family members were honoured at a function at the Army Heritage Museum here today. The event was organised by ARTRAC to mark the golden jubilee of the historic victory that led to the creation of Bangladesh and surrender by the Pakistan army.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited four victory flames from Amar Jawan Jyoti in December last year, which were sent in all four directions across the country. The victory torch of the north was received here yesterday at the residence of Captain Jitendra Nath Sood by his elder brother Yogindernath. Officers of the Army Training Command (ATC) were also present to receive the victory flame (mashal) of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh, which would be handed over to the Western Command at Kasauli on October 23.

Chief of Staff of the ATC Lt Gen JS Sandhu, who honoured the war widows, family members and veterans of the 1971 war, said it was a proud moment for the Army and people of state that the mashal was being taken to the houses of the soldiers and martyrs.

The war ended on December 16, 1971, after Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi of Pakistan surrendered, along with over 93,000 soldiers, to the then Indian Army Easter Command Chief Lt Gen Jagit Singh Aurora, he added.

Brigadier (Administration) of the ATC Rajesh Sihag said all four torches would converge at Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi on December 16. — TNS