A grateful nation is remembering its martyrs today on Vijay Diwas who laid down their lives for the country during 1971 India-Pakistan war. On this day, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini, led by General Jagjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka after their defeat in the war. The end of the war also resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh.

On this occasion, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and three Services Chiefs laid wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi as a mark of respect to the martyrs. Later talking to media, Mr Parrikar said, India is well equipped to deal with the situation like hostage crisis in Sydney, Australia. He said, India is improving and is now more prepared than it was in the early years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remembered the sacrifices and valour of the Armed Forces who courageously fought in 1971 war. In his message on Vijay Diwas, Mr Modi said, the nation is extremely proud of the Armed Forces.

In Kolkata, special programmes have been organised at the headquarters of the Eastern Command at the Fort William to mark the Vijay Diwas today. Personnel of three services and other distinguished persons paid floral tributes at the Vijay Smarak, the war memorial in the memory of martyrs of 1971 war this morning. AIR Correspondent reports that the Social Welfare Minister of Bangladesh Syed Mohsin Ali along with a high level delegation including 26 Mukti Jodhas, 13 war veterans and senior officers of Bangladesh Armed forces have come to Kolkata to join in the celebrations.