As nation remembers Galwan braves, a look at bravehearts who were conferred Gallantry awards
-
- Published: June 15, 2021 17:50
New Delhi: Fire and Fury Corps paid homage to the soldiers killed in a faceoff with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley on the first anniversary of the violent clash on Tuesday, informed PRO Defence, Srinagar.
A statement issued by PRO Defence, Srinagar said in the face of unprecedented Chinese aggression, 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives defending our land and inflicted heavy casualties on the PLA. It further informed that in a solemn ceremony, Major General Akash Kaushik, COS, Fire and Fury Corps, laid a wreath at the iconic War Memorial in Leh on the occasion.
The nation will remain eternally grateful to these gallant soldiers who fought in the most difficult high altitude terrain and made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation, it said.
Meanwhile, a year after the violent faceoff with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley, the Indian defence forces have strengthened themselves in the entire Ladakh sector through multiple initiatives.
Remembering the #Bravehearts of #Galwan
Maj Gen Akash Kaushik, Officiating GOC #FireandFuryCorps laid a wreath at #Leh War Memorial & paid homage to #Bravehearts who laid down their lives at #Galwan on 15 Jun 2020 while fighting for the #Nation.#IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/qMayWT8mhY
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 15, 2021
These include building infrastructure to enhance connectivity and deploying additional troops to tackle any possible aggression by the Chinese.
The strengthening of positions has taken place at all levels in the armed forces including both the Indian Army and Air Force.
“Surprised shortly by the sudden Chinese aggression in the Ladakh sector, the forces have now strengthened themselves significantly,” government officials said here.
The biggest achievement has been from the infrastructure point of view as road connectivity to all the forward locations have been improved, they said.
“Whether it is the Zojila pass, the world’s new highest motorable road Umling La, Marsmik La, or Khardung La, they have been kept open for troops movement throughout the year, courtesy the Border Roads Organisation,” officials said.
भारत हमारे #GalwanValley के वीरों को सलाम करता है। जोखिम भरे इलाकों में, घायल होने के बावजूद, दुश्मन के सामने देश की संप्रभुता की रक्षा करते हुए बीस बहादुर वीरों ने परम बलिदान दिया।#VeerKoNaman #OpSnowLeopard pic.twitter.com/5WeMuWgHsi
— Gallantry Awards of India (@GallantryAward) June 15, 2021
They added that connectivity has also helped to keep up the supplies at the forward locations throughout the year and provided us the capability to deploy troops in no time.
The Indian Army has also strengthened its deployments in Ladakh as well as the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC) as it has now deployed an additional strike corps to tackle the China border.
“The Mathura-based One Strike Corps has been reoriented towards the northern borders in Ladakh and the 17 Mountain Strike Corps has been given the charge of the entire northeastern states along with providing it an additional Division comprising over 10,000 troops, they said.
General MM Naravane #COAS & All Ranks of #IndianArmy pay homage to the #Bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley #Ladakh while defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Their valour will be eternally etched in the memory of the #Nation. pic.twitter.com/1K3X8wOkWX
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 15, 2021
The Indian Air Force, on its part, is also strengthening itself with the arrival of its Rafale fighter jets every couple of months, officials added.
Along with the Rafales, the MiG-29s and the Su-30 fleets have been dominating the skies all along the Northern borders and the second squadron or the planes would be ready for operations by the end of this month.
The biggest achievement of the defence forces has been in creating accommodation for the troops as the Military Engineers have created facilities planned to have been built in the next five years within the last 11 months, they added.
“ मुझे तोड़ लेना वनमाली!
उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक,
मातृभूमि पर शीश चढ़ाने
जिस पथ जावें वीर अनेक ”#IndianArmy#StrongAndCapable pic.twitter.com/EUvxvBNH5W— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 15, 2021
Officials said the preparedness of the armed forces is now at a level where the Chinese or any other adversary cannot surprise us in any way.