Zaroorat padti hai! Har insaan KI Indian Army!
He was on a mission, I never knew that! But he always smiled……..This story has its beginning from a rebellion of students turned into a highmare!
-The Gujjar hostel was set ablaze and Waryam dingh was shot dead!
-Protests continued! Everything was closed!
-Political leaders came and went after speaking on his master’s voice (we thought that Poonch is going to be a nettle field!
-Schools and colleges were closed!
-I never could meet him I thought! He was not in Army but always smiled!
-He spoke great English and even the professors in college used to tell him twice as to what he wanted to say!
-He did meet me on the last day when the colleges were being closed!
-Harassed by his uncle, even beaten he came to our house! He had his saved rations in his home!
-He delivered it to us and my mom……… offered him some money……the boy said no!
-I knew I was for him if 1omorrow breaks or not!
-But he handed over a paper in my hands!
-He always lend his notes to me but this one was different, ‘I know you love me but customs and traditions we cannot forget!’
-I could not send a second note to him!
-I never married and whenever I see our National flag, I do remember him………….!
-The story today is about: Tribute to the Indian Army for the Construction of Ekta Sthal, Shahpur Banwat, Poonch!
-Amidst the rugged terrain of Poonch, Captain Vikram, tasked with securing the Shahpur Banawat sector, met Zoya, a local teacher. Their love blossomed despite the region’s intense security restrictions and proxy war dangers. Finding ways to connect, their romance thrived in secret before overcoming societal divides and professional dangers to choose a life together, merging duty with love.
-The Meeting: While leading Sadbhavna Projects (community outreach), Captain Ranjit (representing the officer) saw Zoya (representing the girl) in the remote hamlet.
-The Struggle: The romance was dangerous. The area was tense, restricting public meetings to brief moments during medical camps or community gatherings.
-The Bond: Despite the danger, their love grew. The officer broke protocol to see her, while Zoya trusted him with her safety.
-The Promise: When his two-year tenure ended, the officer secured an extension, promising to bring his family to ask for her hand and officially bridge the gap between his duty and her home.
-This story highlights the tender romance that can exist between Indian soldiers and local civilians in the tense border regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
-I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for the remarkable construction of the historic site “Ekta Sthal” at Top of Shahpur Banwat ,Bandi Chechiyan,Poonch.
-During my recent visit, I was deeply moved by the 105-feet National Flag proudly hoisted at the site. Standing tall near the Zero Line, close to the border, the tricolour symbolizes unmatched courage, patriotism, and national pride. Despite the challenging location, its grandeur inspires every visitor with a profound sense of belonging to our great nation.
-6th Field Artillery Regiment makes Fort Drum its home …The 6th Battalion, The Sikh Regiment (“Forever Forward”)
-6th Field Artillery Regiment makes Fort Drum its home …The 6th Battalion, The Sikh Regiment (“Forever Forward”) is a distinguished Indian Army unit raised on August 7, 1940. It saw action in the 1942 Arakan Campaign, was re-raised in 1962, and earned fame for defending Poonch in the 1971 war. It is the first battalion to win the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation.
-Key Historical Details of 6th Battalion, The Sikh Regiment:
-Raising: Originally raised as 6/11 Bn The SIKH Regiment on August 7, 1940, as the first battalion raised after World War II broke out.
-Wartime Actions: Participated in the Arakan Campaign in 1942.
-Suspension & Re-raising: Put into suspended animation on August 15, 1946, and re-raised at Meerut on February 9, 1962.
=1971 War: Successfully defended Poonch against a numerically superior enemy, receiving the Battle Honour “DEFENCE OF POONCH 1971” and the Theatre Honour “JAMMU & KASHMIR”.
-Distinctions: Awarded the ‘Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation’ for exemplary service and the ‘Silver Salver of the Governor of J&K’ for outstanding operational performance.
-Motto: “Age Qadam” (Forever Forward).
-I sincerely appreciate the Indian Army for transforming this place into a shining example of unity and harmony. The installation of symbols representing different religions reflects the true spirit of India’s Ganga-Yamuni culture. Additionally, the development of facilities such as children’s playgrounds, swings, and well-designed seating areas has made the site accessible and welcoming for the public.
It is heartening to see hundreds of people visiting Ekta Sthal every day.I offer prayer for the nation and our brave armed forces. This clearly reflects the strong and growing bond between the Army and the civilians.
I extend my special thanks to the 9 Maratha Light Infantry Unit Banwat 93 Brigade Poonch, the 93 Brigade Commander, and all officers for their dedicated efforts in creating this remarkable place and dedicating it to the people.
I would also like to highlight that this site was inaugurated recently by the Army Commander of the Northern Command, Udhampur, that grand inauguration was attended by a large number of civilians and children.
I humbly appeal to the Government and the Tourism Department to further develop this scenic location by providing tourist huts, essential amenities, and improved infrastructure so that visitors can have a comfortable experience and the site can emerge as a major tourist destination.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that the Indian Army not only safeguards our borders but also sets inspiring examples of public service, unity, brotherhood, and humanity……………………..An unknown lady!
The Indian Army inaugurated the “Banwat Ekta Sthal” in Shahpur, Poonch, featuring a 105-foot high National Flag near the Line of Control (LoC). Located in Bandi Chechiyan, this site serves as a symbol of unity, national pride, and strength in a significant border area of Jammu and Kashmir.
-Location: Banwat, Shahpur sector, Poonch (near the LoC).
-Key Feature: A 105-foot tall Indian National Flag.
-Purpose: To promote national unity and commemorate the area’s security significance.
-The Shahpur sector in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir is a highly significant area due to its strategic military location, history of conflict, and recent development initiatives aimed at border security and community engagement.
-Strategic Military Importance
-LoC Proximity: Shahpur is located directly on the Line of Control (LoC) north of Poonch town, making it a critical area for monitoring and preventing infiltration from Pakistan.
-Historical Vulnerability: During the 1971 war, Pakistani forces planned to seize Shahpur and Danna features to create a corridor to attack Poonch town from the rear, making it a key defensive feature for the Indian Army.
-Ceasefire Violations & Retaliation: The sector is a frequent flashpoint for ceasefire violations and unprovoked shelling by Pakistan, necessitating a strong, proactive presence from the Indian Army to prevent infiltration and protect the town of Poonch.
-Civil-Military Coordination: The administration and police regularly conduct “Public Darbars” and “Thana Diwas” in Shahpur to address the grievances of residents, ensure connectivity, and tackle security issues such as drug trafficking in border villages.
-In summary, Shahpur is a crucial, high-stakes military zone that protects the Poonch region, frequently witnesses conflict, and is currently being developed to strengthen local security and national unity.
-To end this one up here is some action for you! The Battle of Shahpur-Banawat in the Poonch sector was a critical defensive action during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Pakistan aimed to capture Poonch town to sever its connection with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, but they were decisively repulsed by the Indian Army, primarily the 6th Sikh Battalion (6 SIKH), which earned the battle honour “Defence of Poonch 1971”.
-Key Details of the Battle:
-Strategic Importance: The Banwat Sector featured high-altitude terrain (including Piquet 405, Tund, and Helipad) that dominated Poonch town, making it vital for the town’s security.
-The Conflict: On the night of 3-4 December 1971, Pakistani forces launched a major offensive against the Banwat defended area using three battalions—7 POK, 5 FFR, and 14 POK—following intense artillery shelling.
-Indian Defense: The 6 SIKH battalion, despite being outnumbered, held their positions against heavy odds. Key positions at Point 405 and the Tund complex were defended under the leadership of Major KS Padda and Major Punjab Singh.
-Outcome: Following intense, often hand-to-hand combat, the Indian forces forced the Pakistani troops to retreat. The battlefield was left with numerous casualties, and a significant amount of Pakistani ammunition and arms were captured.
-Key Individuals: The Commanding Officer of 6 SIKH, Lt Col K.L. Rattan, was awarded the Mahavir Chakra (MVC) for his leadership.
-Gallantry Awards:
-Following the failed Pakistani assault on December 3-4, Indian forces launched a counter-attack on the night of December 10–11, successfully capturing the strategic Nangi Tekri feature.
-The overall successful defense of Poonch by the 93 Infantry Brigade meant that, despite the intensity of the war in that sector, the line of control (LoC) remained similar to pre-war positions.
The heroes of the Shahpur-Banwat area in the Poonch sector during the 1971 Indo-Pak war were primarily from the 6th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment (6 SIKH), known as the “Age Qadam” battalion, which held the line against overwhelming Pakistani forces to protect the strategic town of Poonch.
The battle in this area was critical, as Pakistani forces (comprising 5 Frontier Force Rifles, 7 POK Battalion, and 51 Punjab Regiment) aimed to capture key positions to cut off Poonch.
-Key Heroes and Gallantry Recipients (6 SIKH)
-Major (later Colonel) Panjab Singh (Vir Chakra): He was the company commander in the Banwat area. He showed exemplary courage by motivating his men to hold their ground for three days, despite being surrounded and facing relentless attacks on his position, which he defended from a vital peak.
-Lt Col KL Rattan (Maha Vir Chakra): Commanding Officer of 6 SIKH, he led his battalion to a decisive victory, holding off the enemy offensive on the Shahpur-Banwat ridge and providing crucial leadership that saved the sector, earning the battle honor “Defence of Poonch”.
-Havildar Malkiat Singh (Vir Chakra): Awarded for his courageous actions during the defensive battle.
-Naik Naib Singh (Vir Chakra): Awarded for his role in maintaining the defense.
-House Keeper Mangat Ram (Vir Chakra): Recognized for his bravery during the fighting.
-Sepoy Sampuran Singh (Vir Chakra): Awarded for his exemplary courage.
Enemy Action: Pakistani forces targeted the 6 Sikh positions with intense mortar and artillery fire starting on the evening of December 3, 1971, aiming for the helipad and surrounding areas.
Defensive Action: Despite being outnumbered and at times losing communication with the battalion headquarters, 6 SIKH maintained their positions for three days, forcing the Pakistani troops to retreat after heavy casualties.
-The 6 SIKH battalion was awarded the battle honour “Defence of Poonch 1971” for their heroic defense.
