The army Monday remembered its heroes while celebrating the 42nd anniversary of its victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the summer capital Srinagar, an impressive ceremony was organised in Badami Bagh Cantonment which was attended by a large number of civil and army officials.
Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Chinar Corps, paid tribute to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the war memorial in the Badami Bagh Cantonment.
In Jammu region, Vijay Diwas was celebrated in the entire zone of White Knight corps.
At Nagrota, Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, GOC, White Knight Corps, laid a wreath at "Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal", the war memorial.
At the Uniform Force Headquarters in Reasi, a solemn ceremony was observed with traditional military honours. Major General V. Singh, GOC, placed a floral wreath at the "Wall of Remembrance" war memorial at the Reasi Garrison.
The occasion was also marked with special events organised by the Rashtriya Rifles for the students and the youth in the remote areas of Reasi. The students participated in poster making and painting competitions on the theme, "Our Army - Strong and Victorious".
At Romeo Force, based at Palma, Rajouri, Major General Rajeshwar, GOC, Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), after laying the wreath exhorted all ranks of the force to re-dedicate themselves to the task of nation building and eliminating terrorism from the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
At Akhnoor, Major General Rustam Patnaik, GOC, Crossed Swords Division, laid the wreath to honour the martyrs. The memorial service was attended by all the serving soldiers and war veterans of the 1971 war residing in Akhnoor.
In Jammu, Major General Ashwani Kumar, GOC, Tiger Division, laid a floral wreath at Tiger War Memorial in Jammu Cantonment.
Retired officers also paid tributes. The last post was sounded by buglers to mark the occasion.
Vijay Diwas is commemorated Dec 16 every year, marking the historic victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan.
On this day, chief of the Pakistan forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered before the Indian forces. It was the largest military surrender after World War II.
The surrender led to East Pakistan emerging as Bangladesh.
