Shemin Joy
Laungewala (Rajasthan), Feb 24, 2008 (PTI) The desert reverberated with heavy artillery fire today as soldiers recreated one of the most decisive battles of the 1971 Indo-Pak war when a handful of 'faujis' took on a 2,500-strong advancing column.
Witness to the replay of the "Laungewala Epic" of December 5-6, 1971, was Defence Minister A K Antony on his first visit to this historic spot.
About 120 soldiers of Punjab Regiment's 23rd battalion held back the 51st Infantry Brigade and 22nd Armoured Regiment of the Pakistani army until the IAF flew in and repulsed the first major attack on Indian soil.
Two Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice during the intense two-day battle which saw the Pakistani side lose over 100 soldiers and 37 tanks.
One Pak tank, battered and soot-covered, was on display during a 20-minute live presentation at the battlefield in Jaisalmer district, about 15 km from the border.
Highlights of the battle rerun were an intercepted message in which a Pakistani soldier tells his superiors about the worsening situation and the killing of three Pakistani officers who had come to assess their strength.
It also recalled the emotionally charged address of Area Commander Maj Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri to his soldiers not to run away from the battle and to fight to the finish.
"If some wants to run away, they can do it now," he had said.
Antony suggested that the presentation be made available for the public.
"By sheer determination and dedication, a 100 soldiers under the valiant leadership of Maj Chandpuri were able to defeat a large segment of the Pakistani Army in 1971," the Defence Minister said.
Addressing the soliders, he said the government was committed to their welfare and working towards ensuring accomodation for married couples in the forces.
Noting that the nuclear family has become the norm of the day, he said the first phase of construction of houses for married couples was expected to conclude this year.
"We have already moved a proposal for the second phase which is being scrutinised by the Finance Ministry. I have also written to chief ministers asking them to settle on priority basis the soldiers' problems," he said.
Interacting with journalists later, Antony expressed the hope that the Sixth Pay Commission will give the armed forces the best. "I hope the pay commission favours us," he said.
Asked whether he will argue for segregating service personnel from Central government employees in the pay panel, the minister said, "I am not here for an academic discussion."
On the modernisation programme, he assured the forces that money will not be a problem. "Because of a lot of controversies in the past, the modernisation process was slow. But in last four-five years, things have changed. Convince me (for procurement), money will not be a problem," he added.
He underscored the need to make the armed forces an attractive option for youngsters as the open market was a strong temptation.
"Armed forces are not the first or second preference of youngsters. If we want to attract the youth, we must give them a better deal," he said.
Antony also emphasised the need for an "effective deterrent" to safeguard the interests of the country.
"We have to modernise our armed forces. This is not to confront anybody. We want to safeguard the interest of the country and even for economic growth, we need an effective deterrent," he said.
"The GDP is growing and now we have to concentrate more on the modernisation of the armed forces," he said adding the government is committed to give the forces whatever modern equipment they need.
Laungewala (Rajasthan), Feb 24, 2008 (PTI) The desert reverberated with heavy artillery fire today as soldiers recreated one of the most decisive battles of the 1971 Indo-Pak war when a handful of 'faujis' took on a 2,500-strong advancing column.
Witness to the replay of the "Laungewala Epic" of December 5-6, 1971, was Defence Minister A K Antony on his first visit to this historic spot.
About 120 soldiers of Punjab Regiment's 23rd battalion held back the 51st Infantry Brigade and 22nd Armoured Regiment of the Pakistani army until the IAF flew in and repulsed the first major attack on Indian soil.
Two Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice during the intense two-day battle which saw the Pakistani side lose over 100 soldiers and 37 tanks.
One Pak tank, battered and soot-covered, was on display during a 20-minute live presentation at the battlefield in Jaisalmer district, about 15 km from the border.
Highlights of the battle rerun were an intercepted message in which a Pakistani soldier tells his superiors about the worsening situation and the killing of three Pakistani officers who had come to assess their strength.
It also recalled the emotionally charged address of Area Commander Maj Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri to his soldiers not to run away from the battle and to fight to the finish.
"If some wants to run away, they can do it now," he had said.
Antony suggested that the presentation be made available for the public.
"By sheer determination and dedication, a 100 soldiers under the valiant leadership of Maj Chandpuri were able to defeat a large segment of the Pakistani Army in 1971," the Defence Minister said.
Addressing the soliders, he said the government was committed to their welfare and working towards ensuring accomodation for married couples in the forces.
Noting that the nuclear family has become the norm of the day, he said the first phase of construction of houses for married couples was expected to conclude this year.
"We have already moved a proposal for the second phase which is being scrutinised by the Finance Ministry. I have also written to chief ministers asking them to settle on priority basis the soldiers' problems," he said.
Interacting with journalists later, Antony expressed the hope that the Sixth Pay Commission will give the armed forces the best. "I hope the pay commission favours us," he said.
Asked whether he will argue for segregating service personnel from Central government employees in the pay panel, the minister said, "I am not here for an academic discussion."
On the modernisation programme, he assured the forces that money will not be a problem. "Because of a lot of controversies in the past, the modernisation process was slow. But in last four-five years, things have changed. Convince me (for procurement), money will not be a problem," he added.
He underscored the need to make the armed forces an attractive option for youngsters as the open market was a strong temptation.
"Armed forces are not the first or second preference of youngsters. If we want to attract the youth, we must give them a better deal," he said.
Antony also emphasised the need for an "effective deterrent" to safeguard the interests of the country.
"We have to modernise our armed forces. This is not to confront anybody. We want to safeguard the interest of the country and even for economic growth, we need an effective deterrent," he said.
"The GDP is growing and now we have to concentrate more on the modernisation of the armed forces," he said adding the government is committed to give the forces whatever modern equipment they need.
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