Army Chief General Vipin Rawat on Friday remembered the supreme sacrifice made by Lance Naik Albert Ekka, a recipient of the country's highest military award Param Vir Chakra, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Expressing his gratitude to the war hero's widow Baldina Ekka, Rawat said he was fortunate that he could pay a visit to Chainpur, Ekka's paternal village in Gumla district.
Rawat honoured Baldina with a shawl and handed over a cheque of Rs 51,000 and said the country was proud of Ekka and his family.
He narrated how Ekka had destroyed the Pakistani army's bunker at Gangasagar in the Battle of Hilli despite sustaining injuries as a part of 14th Guard battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Rawat also paid tribute at Ekka's bust situated in Chainpur Bazar Tand.
The Army chief was in Gumla to take part in a rally organised to remember the armymen who made supreme sacrifices while serving for the country, as well as former armymen and their families.
Addressing the gathering at Barway High School ground in Chainpur, Rawat said, "We should respect their sacrifice."
The army jawans from Jharkhand have made the force proud with their sincere and hard work, he said.
Rawat also hailed the patience of the families of the jawans and called on the retired army personnel to inspire the youths and guide the society.
He also honoured 18 jawans and three physically handicapped former jawans on the occasion.
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