A ‘War Memorial’ today dedicated to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice made by 22 gallant soldiers of 16 PUNJAB (PATIALA) in 1971 war in Chhamb sector, at Hamirpur, Akhnoor.
16 PUNJAB (PATIALA) fought in Chhamb sect in two different major operations, i.e Attack on posts ‘Thako Chak’ and ‘Hail Manhasan’.
On the night of 12/13 Dec 1971 ‘C’ Coy launched raid for destruction of enemy post at ‘Hail Manhasan’ 2Km inside Pak territory. The company went across under the cover of darkness and captured the enemy post by 0100 hours on 13 Dec 1971. The Battalion was also tasked to recapture ‘Thako Chak’ area. On the night of 14/15 Dec 1971 ‘D’ Company launched attack on ‘Thako Chak’. The attacking troops faced heavy volume of fire from enemy posts supported by tanks. Despite facing the enemy nearly three times and suffering casualties, the gallant troops of 16 PUNJAB (PATIALA) kept pushing forward and ultimately captured the post by eliminating entire enemy platoon. Enemy estimated to have suffered 39 killed and many wounded. One JCO and 21 soldiers laid down their lives in these operations. With these attacks by 16 PUNJAB (PATIALA), enemy’s offensive capability in this area was reduced and he was forced to go on defensive. Enemy never ventured again in this area.
In Dec 2021, Col PC Sharma (Retd), Col BS Rangi (Retd) and Col KYS Minhas (Retd), the veterans of 16 PUNJAB (PATIALA) who participated in the war visited the battleground after 50 years of the operation to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
A war memorial has been constructed to honour the supreme sacrifice of those 22 Bravehearts on the occasion of celebration of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. Today, a wreath laying ceremony was organised at the War Memorial in presence of Maj Gen Ajay Kumar, GOC Delta Force, an ex officer of 16 PUNJAB (PATIALA), Brig HPP Singh and all the veterans of 1971 war.
