'Defenders of Ladakh Remembrance Day' observed

"Defenders of Ladakh Remembrance Day" was observed Monday to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of the Indian Army and the people of Ladakh against the Pakistani raiders in 1947.

The "Remembrance Day" was celebrated under the aegis of "Fire and Fury Corps" at the newly constructed picturesque Colonel Sonam Wangchuk MVC Stadium in Leh.

A defence statement said: "The celebrations included the conduct of a series of competitions in football, volleyball, handball, debate and painting. Polo, tent pegging and archery competitions were also held.

"A large number of civil, military and para military dignitaries were present to grace the occasion. In a departure from the usual trend, the chief guest of the event was neither any office bearer from military or civil administration nor any politician.

"The chief guest and guests of honour of the event were those war veterans and war heroes who fought against Pakistani raiders in 1947 as part of 'Nubra Guards' under the 'Son of the Soil' Col Chhewang Rinchen, Maha Vir Chakra, and the 1962 and 1971 wars," the statement said.

"Seven such war heroes were present to grace the occasion. A memorial service was held at the Leh War Memorial where floral tributes were paid to our brave martyrs by senior officers of army and the civil administration, veteran soldiers, gallantry award winners and Veer Naris," it said.