GoC-in-C Eastern Command pays homage to martyrs on Swarnim Vijay Diwas.

Lt Gen Manoj Pande, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command paid homage to Martyrs at Vijay Smarak on the occasion of 50th Vijay Diwas at Fort William, here today. To celebrate Swarnim Vijay Divas, a memorial service for martyrs of 1971 War was held at Vijay Smarak to commemorate the victory of Indian Forces and the Mukti Bahini over Pakistani Forces during the 1971 war. The participants observed two minutes silence to pay homage to all those who made the supreme sacrifice.

It was on 16 December 1971, that 92,208 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Joint Command of Indian and Bangladeshi Forces in East Pakistan marking a decisive victory for the Indian Armed Forces. This historical military feat led to the birth of a new nation “Bangladesh”. Each year this day is celebrated as Vijay Diwas by Indian Armed Forces and Eastern Command in particular.

Vijay Diwas Celebrations at Fort William, Eastern Command assume a special significance, as Mukti Jodhas and Indian war veterans who fought shoulder to shoulder, have been reuniting each year for the last thirteen years to celebrate this momentous occasion in history.