The Hindu : Nation salutes braves on CRPF Valour Day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 10, 2003

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Nation salutes braves on CRPF Valour Day

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI APRIL 9. The Union Minister of State for Home, Harin Pathak, today said Pakistan has engaged India in a proxy war for the past few decades because it was scared of "losing out badly'' on the battlefront.

Addressing senior officials of the Central Reserve Police Force on the occasion of CRPF's Valour Day, Mr. Pathak said: "We are determined to defeat our neighbour in this proxy war as early as possible.''

The sole motto of Pakistan in abetting terrorist activities in India through this proxy war was to destabilise the country, said Mr. Pathak. "Our attempt is to foil their attempt,'' he said.

Earlier, he honoured the Ashoka and Shaurya Chakra awardees of the CRPF who were instrumental in foiling the fidayeen attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. They include Y. B. Thapa, Sukwinder Singh, D. Santosh Kumar and Shyambir Singh: all Shaurya Chakra awardees. Avdesh Kumar, husband of late Kamlesh Kumar who was posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra, was also honoured by the Minister.

Mr. Pathak also paid floral tributes to the sacred soil of Sardar Post -- at the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat -- collected from the spot where the CRPF repulsed a Pakistan attack on April 9, 1965, which was kept in an urn. "The valour, grit and determination show by the CRPF men in repulsing a brigade level attack of the Pakistan Army in the Rann of Kutch has no parallel in history,'' he said.

Praising the CRPF role in protecting the nation from its enemies, Mr. Pathak said: "The history of the CRPF is a saga of valour and sacrifice.'' Observing Valour Day will definitely help in inspiring and motivating personnel for selfless and dedicated service to the nation, he added.

In his address, the CRPF Director-General, S.C. Chaube, said that in spite of the enemy's numerical and armament superiority, a small contingent from Second Battalion repulsed the attack and brought pride and laurel to the force and the country. "In that battle, 34 Pakistani soldiers were killed while six brave soldiers laid down their lives at the call of duty,'' he said.

The heads of all Central police organisations were also present on the occasion.

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Nation salutes braves on CRPF Valour Day