PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers, pays homage at Dograi War Memorial (Update)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with Indian Army soldiers, saying the world looks at India with respect because of their valour and "character".

He also visited the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa in Amritsar and placed a wreath at the venue of one of the toughest battles fought and won by Indian forces on September 22, 1965.

Addressing the troops, he said, "I have come to celebrate Diwali with you. I am happy to get this opportunity."

Praising the soldiers for service and sacrifice to the nation, the Prime Minister said, "It is because of your valour, dedication and dreams that the whole world looks at India with respect. It is not only because of the uniform but character of the armed forces."

He said India holds its head high in the comity of nations because the generations of leaders in the armed forces nurtured the forces.

"I congratulate those who have provided leadership over several years to the armed forces," Modi said.

"In the 1965 war, the Battle of Dograi on September 22, 1965 was one of the toughest battles fought and won by our forces. Battle of Dograi was won under the inspiring leadership of Lt. Col. Desmond Hayde, CO 3 JAT, adding a glorious chapter in history of our Army," PM said in his tweets.

After paying homage at Dograi War Memorial, Modi laid a wreath at the Asal Uttar Memorial near Valtoha on the Amritsar-Khem Karan road in Punjab.

"Asal Uttar Memorial marks the Battle of Asal Uttar, which was one of the largest largest tank battles fought within Indian territory in 1965. During this battle, company quarter master havildar(CQMH) Abdul Hamid single-handedly destroyed three enemy tanks and helped stop their offensive, inspite of being mortally wounded. Our forces captured/destroyed over 90 enemy tanks by the end of the battle of Asal Uttar," the PM said in tweets.

Array

In another tweet, Prime Minister Modi also wished the people of the country and the people living across the world on the occasion of Diwali.

This is the second successive Diwali that Modi spent with troops since becoming the Prime Minister. Last year on Diwali, he had paid a surprise visit to Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, to spend time with the troops.