Rajnath Singh Remembers 1965 War Battles, Pays Tribute to Soldiers and Leaders

By A Staff Reporter

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing 1965 war veterans in Delhi, paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of India’s Armed Forces and recalled the leadership that guided the nation through the conflict.

Singh noted that many battles fought during the 1965 war have etched their place in history. He cited the Battle of Phillora, where Indian forces broke the spirit of Pakistan’s offensive, and the Battle of Chawinda, remembered as one of the largest tank battles in the world. “You proved that wars are not won by tanks, but by courage and determination,” he said.

He also highlighted the Battle of Asal Uttar, where Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid destroyed several enemy tanks. “His valour reminds us that bravery is not about the size of the weapon, but the size of the heart,” Singh remarked. He said Hamid’s sacrifice demonstrated how patriotism and national pride can turn the impossible into possible.

Acknowledging the role of political leadership, Singh remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ continues to inspire the nation. He said Shastri’s decisive leadership showed that wars are not won on the battlefield alone, but also through political will and unity at home.