KOLKATA, Dec 16: The Bangladesh government honoured 12 Indian armed forces personnel posthumously for sacrificing their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pak War on the occasion of the 47th Vijay Divas celebration at the Indian Army’s eastern command headquarters, Fort William, here in West Bengal on Sunday.
Vijay Divas (Victory Day) is celebrated every year on this day to mark India’s decisive win over Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.
The families of seven Indian Army soldiers, two Air Force, two BSF and one Navy personnel were handed over ‘Sammanana’ plaques by Bangladesh’ Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque on the occasion.
Prior to this, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Vijay Smarak to pay respects to the martyred soldiers.
The army’s eastern command GOC-in-C Lt Gen MM Naravane, the flag officer commanding-in-chief of the eastern naval command, the air officer commanding-in-chief of the eastern air command, retired armed forces officers, and leaders of a Bangladeshi delegation laid wreaths at the memorial.
The 72-member delegation from Bangladesh, led by MP Quazi Rosy, included 30 mukti jodhas and six serving officers from the Bangladesh defence forces.
The Vijay Divas celebration at Fort William assumes a special significance as mukti jodhas and Indian war veterans have been reuniting each year for the last 13 years to celebrate this momentous occasion. (Defence PRO)
