SIALKOT: The army organised an exhibition of tanks, planes and other weapons at the Polo Ground in Sialkot Cantonment on Wednesday.

A large number of people, including women and children, visited the venue and showed keen interest in the exhibition. They also paid homage to the personnel who embraced martyrdom while defending the country during the 1965 war.

Army personnel said the these weapons on exhibition were used in the 1965 Indo-Pak war near Chawinda.

Also, the Defence Day was observed in Sialkot with traditional zeal for the district had witnessed the historic tanks battlefield in 1965.

Special prayers were offered in mosques for the prosperity of Pakistan and peace in the region.Provincial Minister for Local Bodies Manshaullah Butt, senior army officers, Mayor Chaudhry Tauheed and District Council Chairperson Hina Arshad Warraich hoisted the Hilal-i-Istaqlal at the Sialkot Fort.

The Hilal-i-Istaqlal was conferred upon to the people of Sialkot for their bravery during the 1965 war.

Mr Butt said the Defence Day reminded us of the indomitable courage and unmatched sacrifices of our gallant men who 52 years ago proved to the world that the defence of Pakistan was unassailable. Also, a procession was taken out from Sialkot city to Chawinda, besides, laying the wreathes on the graves of the martyrs in the local graveyard.

Also, the Punjab Rangers observed the day with the families of seven people, who were martyred by unprovoked mortar shelling of the Indian Border Security Forces in Sialkot border village Kundanpur on Aug 28, 2015.

The troops also saluted martyrs’ graves there.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2017