TURA/SHILLONG, Dec 16: Forty-nine years ago, a handful of soldiers from the Border Security Force (BSF) manning a border outpost in Garo Hills thwarted an invasion by Pakistani forces, thereby playing an imperative role during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The BSF in Garo Hills, joining the 50th anniversary year celebrations of India’s triumph over Pakistan in the 1971 war, celebrated Vijay Diwas and paid rich floral tributes to nine BSF jawans who attained martyrdom defending Killapara border outpost in Dalu from Pakistani soldiers who had tried cutting off the strategic Dalu to Tura road during the war.
On the eve of Vijay Diwas, BSF and Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) personnel exchanged greetings on border outposts along the international border in Meghalaya.
In the Garo Hills sector, which had once seen action with war spreading its wings to its borders resulting in lakhs of civilians fleeing to seek refuge in India to escape the brutality of the Pakistani Army, the BGB paid floral tributes to the war heroes at the war memorial, erected at Killapara, who had sacrificed their life during the 1971 war.
The war memorial at BOP Killapara marks the importance of 1971 war fought on the Eastern front as the handful of BSF soldiers valiantly stood their ground in the face of an all-out onslaught by the Pakistani troops.
Despite being outnumbered, the soldiers clinged to the post and fought to the last man, averting the occupation of the crucial road link connecting Dalu with Tura.
Remembering the supreme sacrifice of the jawans, a special tribute was paid to late BS Tyagi, Commandant (Retd) of the BSF, who exhibited exemplary courage while taking on the Pakistan Army with only a handful of men at his disposal.
Despite being outnumbered, the nine BSF jawans, manning the border post, fought valiantly and repulsed two enemy attacks, thereby playing a crucial role in facilitating the defeat of the Pakistani Army and the emergence of Bangladesh.
Honouring the martyrs, senior BSF officials led by Bhagwant Singh, Commandant SHQ BSF Tura, Karunanidhi Tripathi Commandant, 55 Bn BSF, Darbara Singh, Offg Commandant 75 Bn, Pradip Doley Offg Comdt 28 Bn BSF laid wreaths in the memory of the nine brave souls at the Killapara war memorial.
101 Area remembers 1971 war martyrs
Meanwhile, 101 Area in Shillong marked the day by remembering the valiancy of the war heroes and their martyrdoms in the line of duty.
According to a statement on Wednesday, Lt General, Tumul Varma, who is the General Officer Commanding of 101 Area, laid a wreath at Rhino War Memorial, Shillong, to acknowledge the contributions of the soldiers.
“Though the event is important for the whole nation, it holds a special significance for 101 Area because 101 Area took part in the conduct of operations in East Pakistan and has the unique distinction of being the First Indian Formation to enter Dacca on 16 December 1971,” the statement said.
The programme was also attended by veteran representatives.