Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday interacted with veterans and families of soldiers who fought in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, as the Army commemorated the diamond jubilee of the conflict with a solemn ceremony at South Block in Delhi.
Singh paid rich tributes to the fallen heroes, noting that India’s victory was a result of both battlefield courage and the collective resolve of the nation.
“Pakistan thought it could frighten us through infiltration and surprise attacks, but every Indian soldier serves with the resolve that the sovereignty and integrity of the nation will never be compromised,” he said.
Recalling the Battle of Asal Uttar, Singh highlighted the heroism of Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for destroying enemy tanks under heavy fire. “Abdul Hamid taught us that bravery is not about the size of the weapon, it is about the size of the heart,” he said.
The minister also credited the leadership of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, saying the war was won not just on the battlefield but also through decisive political will. “Even under adverse circumstances, the nation displayed unity and triumphed,” he added.
Referring to more recent events, Singh described Operation Sindoor—India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack—as proof of the country’s growing strength.
“The courage and coordination with which our forces carried out the operation showed that victory is no longer an exception for us, it has become our habit,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s priority towards the welfare of serving soldiers, veterans and families of fallen personnel. “Defence modernisation, better training and upgraded equipment are aimed at ensuring our forces never face a shortage of resources,” Singh said.
The ceremony was attended by Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, senior officers, decorated veterans, gallantry awardees and families of 1965 war heroes.
A documentary recalling key battles including Asal Uttar, Akhnoor and Khem Karan was also screened, while veterans such as Lt Gen Satish K Nambiar (Retd) and Maj RS Bedi (Retd) shared personal accounts of the war.