50th anniversary of 1965 war: Govt, Army have no data of soldiers, war widows to send invites

The district army welfare officers have been asked to spread public awareness about the September 9 function so that the soldiers and the war widows get to know about it and attend it.

A statement of District Defense Services Welfare Officer, Jalandhar, Col(Retd) KPS Atwal reads, “A special function is being organised to honour the former soldiers who participated in the 1965 war and the widows of martyr soldiers. Soldiers and their widows are requested to provide their details at Jalandhar office on August 27 and 28 for this function.”

Amritsar deputy commissioner Ravi Bhagat, who also have the additional charge of Tarn Taran district, said, “We will organise the function at the Abdul Hamid Memorial near Patti in Tarn Taran district. The chief minister has called a special meeting in Chandigarh on September 1 to review the arrangement of the event. The Army will also exhibit tanks recovered from Pakistan army in Khemkaran Sector.”

About invitation to the soldiers and war widows, Bhagat said, “The issue is being addressed by Director Sainik Welfare Punjab Brig(Retd) J S Arora.”
J S Arora said, “We have the data of most of the war widows and soldiers. However, some families move from one place to another. Some families may have gone abroad. So, we have been making attempts to contact them.”

He added that the district welfare officers have also been asked to inform the soldiers and the war widows about the function.