Defence Minister pays tribute to 1965 war heroes on diamond jubilee

New Delhi, Sep 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday interacted with veterans and families of fallen soldiers of the 1965 India-Pakistan war at a commemorative event organised by the Indian Army at South Block to mark the diamond jubilee of India’s victory.

Paying glowing tributes, Rajnath Singh said, “Pakistan thought it could frighten us through infiltration, guerrilla tactics and surprise attacks, but little did it know that every Indian soldier serves the motherland with the resolve that the sovereignty and integrity of the nation will never be compromised.”

He hailed the unmatched courage of soldiers in battles such as Asal Uttar, Chawinda and Phillora, making special mention of Param Vir Chakra awardee CQMH Abdul Hamid, who destroyed enemy tanks under heavy fire.

“Our brave Abdul Hamid taught us that bravery is not about the size of the weapon, but the size of the heart,” he said. The defence minister also credited then prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s leadership in rallying the nation, calling 1965 a testament to unity and resolve. Linking past heroism with the present, he described Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack — as proof that “victory is no longer an exception for us; it has become our habit.”

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to soldiers, veterans and families of martyrs, Rajnath Singh said defence modernisation and better training remain top priorities to ensure the forces are never short of resources. The event was attended by Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, senior commanders, decorated veterans, gallantry awardees and families of 1965 heroes. A documentary on pivotal battles was screened, while veterans including Lt Gen Satish K Nambiar (Retd) and Maj RS Bedi (Retd) shared their battlefield experiences.