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Hero of 1965 war remembered

Asal Uttar(Punjab): Civilians joined the men in uniform on Saturday to salute Param Vir Chakra awardee Company Quarter Master Havaldar Abdul Hamid on the 41th anniversary of his martyrdom at this border village, the name of which means `befitting reply'.

It was on this day in 1965, that Pakistani forces launched a major offensive in the Khem Karan sector of Punjab.

Hamid of the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment was deployed at Cheema village (now Asal Uttar) as the commander of a Recoilless Gun detachment. Despite coming under intense pressure, the brave Havaldar blew up three Patton tanks of the enemy.

However, while boldly engaging the fourth tank, he was fatally wounded by an enemy shell. On September 10, this brave soldier attained martyrdom but his courage and bravery saw him conferred with the country's highest gallantry award posthumously.

It was this supreme sacrifice of Hamid that halted the advance of the enemy tanks and thereafter the Indian army launched a counter offensive. The battle raged for three days and at the end, the enemy was forced to retreat, suffering heavy losses and leaving behind 73 tanks, some of which were found in working order.

UNI

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Hero of 1965 war remembered

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