Srinagar, July 04:(KNS) Soldiers don’t die. They merely transcend from the physical being into the hearts and memories of a grateful nation and loving family members, where they continue to live on forever. In one such solemn occasion today, Lt Col Tej Prakash Singh Suri (Retd), father of Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri, MVC (Posthumous) travelled hundreds of kilometers to a forward location at more than 10000 ft height along the Line of Control, to finally accomplish his dream of visiting the battlefield, where his son had made the ultimate sacrifice, during Operation BIRSA MUNDA in 1999. Neither the treacherous terrain in extreme high altitudes, nor the weariness of old age could prove any match to his unflinching determination to honour the memory of his gallant son.
Operation BIRSA MUNDA was a punitive raid conducted against a Pakistani post by a BIHAR battalion of Indian Army, in the month of November 1999. This was the time when Operation VIJAY had drawn to a close, but the Line of Control was still active with sporadic incidents of trans Line of Control violence. In a swift and meticulously planned operation, the entire Pakistani post was destroyed, killing 17 Pakistani soldiers. The nation also paid the human cost of military action and lost Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri, raid commander who was later awarded Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous). Three of his team members Sepoy Manoj Kumar, Vir Chakra (Posthumous), Sepoy Birendra Kumar, Mention-in-Despatches (Posthumous) and Lance Naik Birendra Nath Tiwari, Mention-in-Despatches (Posthumous) also made the supreme sacrifice.
Lt Col Tej Prakash Singh Suri (Retd), and Lt Gen GS Chandel, AVSM, YSM (Retd), the then CO of Bihar Battalion, participated in a solemn ceremony at the forward post in Gulmarg sector where a modest memorial was dedicated in memory of the valiant action of the soldiers of Indian Army. 04 July happens to be the birthday of Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri, MVC (Posthumous).
The veteran officers were joined in this solemn ceremony by GOC Dagger Division and Commander Pir Panjal Brigade.(KNS)