Page 28 - seniors today november 2020
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Memorable Visit to Bangladesh
During Vijay Diwas 2013, Brig RK Singh was
part of an Indian delegation consisting of
1971 War veterans which visited Bangladesh,
where he got an opportunity to visit the
battlefields at Garibpur after 42 years! The
people of Garibpur and surrounding areas
are ever grateful for the contribution and
sacrifice of the Indian soldiers. A small
memorial with an epitaph commemorating Troops of D Company 14 Punjab were ready for action
the Battle of Garibpur is located astride even after four hours of fierce battle
the road leading to Garibpur,a tiny and troops atop a captured Pakistani Chaffee
predominantly agricultural hamlet. Another tank bearing number 14 in Urdu.
monument has been erected near a mango Brig RK passed away in February 2016.
tree in an open patch in a school premises During the recent visit of the Bangladesh
to commemorate the martyrs – both Mukti PM, Sheikh Hasina to India in April 2017,
Bahini and Indian soldiers of the Liberation Sub Malkiat Singh, MVC (Posthumous) was
War. one of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation
Some Bangladesh officers attending the War, whose family was honoured by the
Staff College Course at Wellington, a few PMs of both the countries. The Commanding
years ago, informed me that the Battle of Officer and Subedar Major of the unit were
Garibpur is enacted by their battalions as invited for the ceremony in New Delhi on
part of an exercise organised for troops to April 8, 2017.
draw many useful lessons. They requested
for some material and original photographs Conclusion
of the Garibpur battle, which was later sent The Battle of Garibpur was a significant
to them. There is a war museum at Jessore battle in which the troops of 14 PUNJAB
Cantonment which contains artefacts, Infantry Battalion Group exhibited rare
photographs and other items from the courage, grit and determination. Though the
‘Liberation War’. battle was fought mainly by 14 Punjab, it was
the other supporting units like ‘C’ Squadron
Book on CO’s Reminiscences of the 45 Cavalry, the Engineers and Artillery;
Battle and the IAF which played a crucial role in
Brig RK Singh had written a book, ‘The its success. It was the first main battle of the
Battle of Garibpur, Indo-Pak War 1971’ in 1971 War, which was a significant military
2014, which is the Commanding Officer’s victory that blunted the enemy’s counter-
account and personal reminiscences of the attack capability. This eventually paved the
Battle of Garibpur. Inclusion of original way for the Indian victory over Pakistan
photographs of the battle area, the air battle 49 years ago. However, the unit was denied
at Boyra and the author’s recent visit to a well-deserved award of Battle Honour
Bangladesh enhance the quality of the book. ‘Garibpur’ Battle, since it was fought prior to
One of the photographs depicts 14 jubilant commencement of hostilities on December 3,
officers and men of the unit and attached 1971.
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