Army celebrates Poonch Link up Day

Indian Army commemorated Poonch Link up Day by paying tribute at the Poonch war memorial and remembering the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers and the citizens of the region for defending Poonch, during a conflict in 1948

A slew of activities including sport events, cultural activities and medical camp were organised to mark the occasion.

The day marks the recapturing of Poonch from Pakistani forces after they laid a seige here during the Jammu and Kashmir conflict. The region was relieved by an Indian offensive named Operation Easy which commenced on November 20, 1984. The day marks the historic link up carried out by Brig Pritam Singh's forces with Brig Yadunath's forces from Rajouri at Danna Ka Pir on 21 November 1948. The White Knight Corps and the Awaam of Poonch thus celebrated the historic Poonch Link up Day with gaiety and fervor every year.

In run-up to this year's observance of this historic day, sporting events such as Poonch Volleyball Championship, Hockey Tournament for Girls and Boys, and educational and artistic events such as Painting & Singing Competition as part of the Talent Hunt for youth of Poonch were held.

Number of other events such as Eye camp, Mobility Equipment's distribution camp and Artificial Limb Fitment camp, Equestrian display by Army team, Capacity Building Tour for sports persons of the region to National Institute of Sports and other places in Patiala and Delhi and a Dog show which mesmerised the audience was also organised at the occasion.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, (General Officer Commanding) GOC White Knight Corps commemorated the day by laying wreath at Naman Sthal, the War Memorial at Poonch. Many veterans and senior army officials also joined him in laying wreaths and remembering the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers and the citizens of the region for defending Poonch, in 1948.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh also visited Hill Kaka and paid homage to the soldiers who laid down their lives and interacted with people who provided assistance during Operation Sarp Vinash, an operation undertaken by Indian Army to flush out terrorists who had made bases in Hillkaka Poonch-Surankote area of Pir Panjal range in J&K during April-May 2003. In the ensuing operation, the Indian Army had killed 64 terrorists belonging to various jihadists' outfits.

A medical camp was also organised at Village Hill Kaka on November 22. During interaction with the villagers, Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, distributed communication equipment to the remote hamlets of the region for emergency communication during winter

Lt Gen Singh also expressed his gratitude to the locals for their contribution in bringing peace.