Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Dec: The 2/9 Gorkha Rifles is one of the oldest units of the Indian Army, which took part in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 in the southwestern sector of erstwhile East Pakistan. In August 1971, the Battalion was deployed in the immediate vicinity of the Indo-Pak border, where rehearsals for impending operations were conducted, in addition to imparting training to the Mukti Bahini personnel. On 12 November 1971, the Battalion launched its first offensive raid on the enemy’s border post, Dhopakhali, and captured it. Thereafter, the Battalion moved forward towards an enemy’s important communication centre, capturing Jiban Nagar. On gaining initial success, the Battalion moved expeditiously towards Faridkot town. On the night of 15/16 December 1971, the Battalion crossed the torrential river Madhumati, utilising the country boats successfully to reach Kamarkhali, where they fought a fierce battle with the enemy. The battalion cleared Kamarkhali from the enemy and gained control over it on 16 December 1971, just before the declaration of the ceasefire. Thus, the Battalion was conferred with the Battle Honour “Kamarkhali” and Theatre Honour “East Pakistan” for its gallant action.
To date, 2/9 Gorkha Rifles celebrates Kamarkhali Day on 16 December every year as their Battle Honour Day, which the country also observes as Vijay Diwas.
The veterans of 2/9 Gorkha Rifles residing in Dehradun under the aegis of ‘2/9 Gorkha Rifles Bhoot Purv Sainik Kalyan Samiti’ today celebrated their Battle Honour “Kamarkhali Day” by organising a Bada Khana at Doon Sainik Institute, Garhi Cantt. A large number of veterans, along with their families, attended the Battle Honour Day celebrations and took part with great fervour. Gauri Kalra, wife of the late Colonel Anil Kalra, was invited as the Chief Guest and was felicitated on this occasion. The late Colonel Anil Kalra participated in the 1971 war with the Battalion, and later on, commanded the same Battalion. Colonel Ishwar Thapa, aged 96 years, being the oldest war veteran, was invited as the guest of honour and was also felicitated on this occasion, along with three veer naris who were also felicitated.
The war veterans who participated in the Bangladesh war in 1971, along with the Battalion, were also felicitated and honoured. The war veterans present were Captain Vijay Singh Khattri, Subedar Jeet Bahadur Thapa, Jeet Bahadur Khattri, Deb Bahadur Sahi, Inder Singh Sahi, Rajender Negi, Ruk Bhagat Bhattarai and Bhim Bahadur Khattri.
