Army capable of giving befitting reply to any adversary, says Lt Gen Khanduri
Army commander, Western Command Lieutenant General Nav Kumar Khanduri on Friday asserted that the Indian Army has the capability to give a befitting reply to any adversary looking at the country with evil intentions.
Addressing the gathering of war heroes and veterans after laying the wreath ceremonial at Balidan Stambh , General Officer Command in Chief (GoC-in C) of Army’s Western Command, Lt Gen Khanduri said, “Country presently is fighting on different security fronts but forces are capable of handling any situation”. Moreover, Vijay Diwas celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Ladakh.
“Whether its internal security or challenges from outsiders (on Borders) our brave soldiers are giving befitting reply to adversary at every front,” the GOC-in-C of strategic command said, adding “I am confident and with full believe saying that our army and police forces are capable to tackle any emerging challenge and know how to give befitting reply to adversary in their own language”.
The General officer made these remarks at an event organized by Yol, Himachal Pradesh based Rising Star Corps ( 9 Corps) to commemorate 51 years of Victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war at Jammu’s ‘Balidan Stambh’ war memorial.
The operational formations of army in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts came under area Of Responsibility (AOR) of Western Command along with strategic units in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, which act as backup during emergent situations.
The statement from top army commander holds significance when on one hand India is fighting with the Pakistan at border and in the hinterland with its sponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and other hand tense situation with China at Line of Actual Control.
Recounting the bravery, valour and sacrifices by the Indian armed forces during the war, Lt Gen Khanduri said, “December 16 is a historical day for the country when the Indian army compelled 93 thousand Pakistani soldiers to surrender and liberated East Pakistan.”
On the occasion, he also expressed gratitude towards ex-servicemen, veer naris, veer fathers and mothers for their contributions towards the security and integrity of the nation and also assured them of the wholehearted and unstinting support from the serving fraternity.
Moreover, Top Police and Army officials in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Vijay Diwas, marking the 51th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, and liberation of Bangladesh as an independent country.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh laid wreath at the Balidan Stambha in Jammu.
The Union Territory’s top cop was accompanied by the Additional Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C Northern Command dedicated the auspicious day in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice by the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 War at Udhampur Military station.
A solemn wreath laying ceremony was organised at the Dhurva War Memorial to commemorate the event. The GOC-in-C, Northern Command presided over the event and laid a wreath on behalf of all ranks of Northern Command. The GOC-in-C paid tribute to all soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our nation.
The Indian Army also celebrated Vijay Diwas at Dharmund in Ramban. Indian Army paid homage to their fallen heroes as the Senior Officer, Indian Army alongwith the Force troops laid wreath at the Dharmund War Memorial.
The General Officer Commanding extended his greetings to all ranks of the Force and exhorted them to strive towards greater glory and success with self-belief and pride in their profession, Indian Army and the Nation.
In Ladakh, the Fire and Fury Corps celebrated Vijay Diwas with solemn reverence and patriotic fervour.
Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps laid a wreath at the iconic Leh War Memorial on the occasion, on behalf of all ranks of the formation. Senior military officers and a large number of troops from Leh Garrison were present during the wreath laying.
On this solemn occasion, Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, called upon all ranks of Fire and Fury Corps to continue to dedicate themselves in the service of the nation and always keep ‘Nation First’ in all their endeavours.
Vijay Diwas marks the largest military surrender after the Second World War, as 93,000 soldiers of the Pakistan Army laid down their arms before the Indian forces — resulting in the liberation of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan.
The day is celebrated every year as ‘Vijay Diwas’. On December 16, 1971, Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the chief martial law administrator of East Pakistan and the commander of Pakistan Army located in East Pakistan, signed the Instrument of Surrender.
