Defence Minister to visit Jammu on Jan 14

Jammu, Jan 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is arriving on a day-long visit to Jammu on January 14 to attend 9th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day, being celebrated at Tanda Artillery Brigade, Akhnoor.

Day is being celebrated under the aegis of Northern Command to honour the “Armed Forces veterans and Veer Naris.”

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha; Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan; Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar and GOC White Knight Corps, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva will attend the event besides other senior military and civil officials.

The Defence Minister’s Jammu visit comes a day after the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to Sonamarg in Kashmir to inaugurate the crucial Z-Morh tunnel on January 13.

Following the event, the Defence Minister, who is visiting for the first time after the formation of the new government in J&K, is also likely to hold a security review meeting before leaving for the union capital, along with the CDS, in the evening.

According to PRO Defence Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, approximately 1,000 veterans from Jammu, Akhnoor, Pallanwala, Rakhmuthi, Nowshera, and Sunderbani are likely to attend the Veterans’ rally.

The event will also include hoisting of a 108-feet National Flag and inauguration of Akhnoor Heritage Museum.

“Besides, the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Department will present cultural performances reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage. As a special gesture, mobility equipment like motorised wheelchairs, e-scooters and autorickshaws will also be distributed to the veterans,” PRO Defence said.

“The event reflects the Indian Army’s respect and unwavering commitment to care for the veterans and Veer Naris who have served the nation with pride and dedication,” he said.