Marking the observance of Vijay Diwas, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday inaugurated a towering 108-feet National Flag Mast at Kachrial, Akhnoor here in the city outskirts.

The majestic Tricolour has been dedicated to the heroes of the historic Battle of Chhamb and serves as a symbolic remembrance of the extraordinary valour and supreme sacrifices exhibited by the Indian Armed Forces during the 1965 and 1971 wars.

The region of Chhamb was a pivotal and crucial battleground in both Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, which was marked by fierce and unrelenting fighting by the Indian Army.

Facing overwhelming enemy strength, Indian soldiers, against daunting odds and in the face of relentless assaults, displayed exemplary courage by offering stubborn resistance in the battered landscape despite suffering heavy losses.

The intensity and ferocity of operations in the Chhamb region during both the 1965 and 1971 wars have been given special mention in the annals of Indian military history.

The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of senior military and civil officials, war veterans, veer naris, students, and residents, who gathered to honour the fallen heroes.

The momentous event included hoisting of the National Flag, National Anthem, patriotic renditions, and a cultural programme which included a display of traditional Khukuri Martial Arts by the Gorkha Regiment to commemorate the supreme sacrifices by those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

During the event, the veer naris and war veterans were felicitated by the LG.

The installation of the monumental flag mast at Kachrial stands as a permanent reminder of the region’s strategic significance, heroic contributions of soldiers, and vital role played by the locals during wars, conflicts and ceasefire violations.

It reinforces the nation’s collective gratitude and serves to inspire patriotism among the youth.