Swarnim Vijay Mashaal reaches at Ranian

Amritsar, February 28 (Punjab Post Bureau) – As part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh commemorating the military victory of the Indo-Pak war of 1971, on 28 February 2021 the Victory Mashaal was carried from the Khasa Military Station to Ranian, which witnessed a historic battle in 1971 Indo-Pak war. The Mashaal was received by Commander, Dograi Brigade at Ranian War Memorial located at Lodhi Gujjar.  Grand celebration ceremony organised at Ranian was attended by 1971 war veterans, Veer Naris, Ex-Servicemen and students alongwith local population. The event witnessed the gathering of prominent war heroes and kith and kin of martyrs whose indomitable fighting spirit guarded the western frontiers of our nation during the 1971 war.

                 The event began with a wreath laying ceremony at Ranian War Memorial in which Brigadier (Retired) JS Jaswal, VrC and other dignitaries paid homage to the brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice.  It’s a rare honour that the PUNJAB Regiment’s Unit which fought the battle at Ranian 50 years ago was also part of the solemn ceremony.  It is pertinent to mention that 50 years ago on the night of 03/04 December 1971, Brigadier (Retired) JS Jaswal then 2^nd Lieutenant, who was present amongst the gathering, beat back incessant enemy attacks for two days at Ranian, inspite of being wounded by a medium machine gun burst and was aptly awarded for his gallantry.

                The felicitation ceremony began with patriotic and marshal tunes played by Jazz Band and Pipe Band of Army.  The families of gallantry awardees, Veer Naris, war heroes and Ex-Servicemen were felicitated during the ceremony. The Army team also collected the soil of the Ranian battlefield which would form part of the National War Memorial at New Delhi.