Indian army remembers 1963 Poonch crash victims

The Indian army Friday remembered top commanders of the army and the air force killed this day in 1963 in a helicopter crash in Poonch district of Jammu region.

A defence statement said here Friday evening that "'Nangi Tekri battalion' organised a wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph, General's Memorial, in Poonch town today (Friday)".

"The event is an annual ceremony organised to pay homage to Lieutenant General Daulat Singh, general officer commanding in chief, western command; Air Vice Marshal E.W. Pinto, air officer commanding, western command; Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, general officer commanding, 15 Corps; Major General K.N.D. Nanavati, Military Cross, general officer commanding 25 Infantry Division; Brigadier S.R. Oberoi, Military Cross, Commander 93 Infantry Brigade and Flight Lieutenant S.S. Sodhi who died in a helicopter crash Nov 22, 1963.

"Lieutenant General Bikram Singh was held in very high esteem by the people of the area. As a mark of their love and affection towards the departed souls, people from Poonch and surrounding villages organise 'Akhand Path' every year to commemorate the tragic accident.

"Maj Gen V.P. Singh, general officer commanding, Ace of Spades Division who laid the wreath and planted Silver Oak tree sapling at the site was the chief guest. The ceremony was also attended by relatives of the commanders who died."